From:
"KaRayZee"
Date: 2012-02-11 00:43:19 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Insulinoma Question
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Otter was diagnosed with insulinoma in Aug 2011, with a BG test @ 36. He was on prednisone but convinced my non-ferret savvy vet, that prednisolone was better for him and got an Rx. he is on .65 mg/ 3x's day. (always given with meals) he is also on carafate 1mg/3x's day OR famotidine 5mg/3x's day. I was told that carafate can be mixed with water, and thats how Otter has been getting it. It's suspected he has ulcers because of his teeth grinding. He eats a 50/50 mix of kibble (crushed Drs. Foster& Smith original ferret food/Zupreem grain free & Totally Ferret venison, turkey...) and meat baby food. I also give him organic greek plain yogurt, couple times a week. I NEVER see/notice that he eats in his cage or on his own, so all his meals are relied on by me. He does drink on his own, but not enough & I give him SQ fluids, about every 8-10days. He is a happy fatty (BIG pred belly) ..when he's out he walks around some, but most of the time he's laying around...he is alert & watching but not so much playing or acting silly.
I worry about Ottie, & hope I'm doing the best for him.
Dexamethasone is injection only? What's the average cost per dose? When, If & Why would I want to give him Dex.?
Is Essiac something I may want to consider adding to Otter's diet?
What's the likelyhood that Otter will go back to eating kibbles on his own?
Thanks!
And for what it's worth I'm glad for all the Insulinoma, Ulser & alternative medication talk. Everytime I open one of these posts I am learning more about Insulinoma & my lil' fert's well being.
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Leslie Cucino <lesliecucino@...> wrote:
>
> Hi Mike,
>
>
> Yes, it is best to give Pred in three doeses. I don't know why vets insist on two 12 hour doses because the Pred is metabolized by the body in 8 hours. Mark/Mike?? @ Inner Harmony gave me this hint years ago and it works and I've gotten my vet to start prescribing the 3 doses.
>
> In any case, yes, three doses does work best and if you add the diazoxide (sp?) the need for Pred decreases. It doesn't go away, but it absolutely decreases which may work for your 5/2 day schedule.
>
> I've had several ferrets, rescues and otherwise that have had insulinoma, and none of them ever got gastric ulcers. Generally if you feed them soup beforehand, the stomach gets coated.
>
> Also, as I'm sure you know any ferret with insulinoma will most likely end up succumbing to the disease eventually. I've found that adding Ensure (yes, all sugar) in the morning and at their night soup feeding also reduces the instances of crashes and makes them happier and more confortable. I kept one ferret alive for three years after diagnosis and surgery by following these steps. When I put him to sleep this past year he had a Pred belly, was completely naked, blind from cataracts and had lost his hearing, but he was happy until the end. When he stopped enjoying going into the yard to roll in the grass, it was time to let him go.
>
> Leslie
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
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