Mar 21 2007
Insulinomas in Ferrets
Like any aging mammal, ferrets get tumors, cancers and the like. When they reach around age four or later, the odds increase. The average ferret lifespan is between 6-8 years. One of the more common types is a form known as insulinomas. These are tumors from insulin producing cells in the pancreas. In addition to the tumors themselves, they produce excess insulin leading to a type of diabetes.
Some of the external signs that owners should be on the lookout for are large weight loss, lethargy and lack of coordination especially in the hind legs. Healthy ferrets have a high metabolism. They sleep about 18 hours per day, but when they are awake they tend to be extremely active and exploratory.
Naturally, that will decrease somewhat with age, but even older ferrets are still natural ’seekers’ and frequently hungry. That’s one of the reasons food should be left out for them to eat at will. When they begin to lose a lot of weight, something is wrong. When they become uninterested in their environment, they are usually ill.
Diagnosing insulinomas is usually straightforward. Blood sugar levels are tested from a sample, with the test often repeated after a short fast of a few hours. Insulin levels will often be tested as well. Of course, an external exam for obvious lumps will be performed at the same time the sample is drawn.
Surgery is the most common form of treatment. Visible tumors are removed to reduce the risk of spreading or enlargement. That can also reduce symptoms associated with the tumors. About two weeks later, blood sugar levels will be re-tested, then again every few months to check for re-occurrence.
Diet can help control both the likelihood of getting insulinomas and the severity of the symptoms. A high, meat-based protein (about 35% of the total) and high fat content (15%) is standard for ferrets. But sweets, often used as treats for healthy animals, are eliminated. Just as in humans, they can lead to a hypoglycemic episode and disorientation.
Properly treated, most animals recover from insulinomas and live out a natural span.
Most people consider a pet a member of the family — and for good reason. Pets offer companionship, amusement and unconditional love. Studies support that owning a pet offers a multitude of emotional and overall health rewards.
However, with the plunging economy and the rising costs of food, fuel and housing, cash-strapped Americans are pinching their [...]
She can jump from the floor to the top of the refrigerator, or bound across your desk without disturbing a single sheet of paper. Your cat personifies the graceful, enviable sure-footedness of her species. But what about her eco-footprint?
With 88 million domesticated cats in the country (according to the National Pet Owners Survey by the [...]
On September 12, 2008, Mars Petcare US issued a voluntary recall of their Everson, PA, plant dry pet food product due to potential Salmonella contamination. This voluntary recall only affects the United States.
Salmonella can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if
there is cross contamination caused by handling of the pet food, in
people as well, [...]
Moving away from home can be traumatic. Add to that living with strangers and having to leave behind beloved pets, and it’s a wonder anyone wants to go to college at all.
Luckily, some colleges are starting to recognize the fact that when students are allowed to bring their pets with them to live in the [...]
Anyone who knows me well can attest to the fact that I spend a good amount of time looking for new and interesting products and supplies for my pets. (I have a cabinet full of cat toys, and a growing collection of collars for my dog).
Through my Internet journeys, I came across FunStuffForDogs.com, and as I [...]
While flipping through a recent issue of O magazine, I spied the end-all be-all compliment to my new living room decor, pillows with the mugs of dogs and cats on them.
The pillows, created by the aptly-named Pillow Pillow Pillow, are crafted by designer Aaron Stewart.
According to Aaron Stewart and Hornet Toys, the line of comfy, cozy [...]
Summer has arrived and for many families, that means more fun and festivities, but for pets it can become a stressful time due to increased sudden noise such as thunderstorms, neighborhood festivities and fireworks.
“The summer can be a difficult time for pets with the noise of stormy weather and neighborhood commotion. However, recognizing these changes [...]
Hello~
I wanted to bring this to your attention. Your suggestion of giving a ferret diazoxide (proglycem) for insulinoma is putting hundreds of children’s lives at risk. You see, my daughter, along with many others have a condition called HI/HA (Hyperinsulism/Hyperammonemia) and diazoxide is the only medication keeping them alive. HI/HA has a few variants, most due to malfunctioning pancreas and others are genetic but both can cause severe low blood sugar levels. You can read about it at hihagdh@yahoogroups.com or hyperins@yahoogroups.com or go to Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia website (www.chop.edu) or (http://www.chop.edu/consumer/jsp/division/generic.jsp?id=71509). In those yahoo forums, you see frantic parents trying to secure the medication due to low supplies – and come to find out YOU are offering this to ferrets. I understand people are very attached to their pets – we even have a service dog for our daughter – but would you prescribe diazoxide for a ferret knowing you’re potentially putting a child’s life at risk? On top of that, are you ready to incur the wrath that would come from all these parents if diazoxide is not available due to you giving it to ferrets?
I can understand if you did not realize the dire ramifications of your actions but I’m telling you now – You are putting children’s lives at risk. I would be happy to discuss this further – I can be reached at kaha@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
Peter
(father of Mahea, 2yrs, HI/HA GDH, diazoxide – 100mg a day)
I was completely unaware that this medication was in low supply for humans and would not recommend it for ferrets under the circumstances - it was simply stated that that was an option for pet owners, and I certainly don’t “offer” it to pets - so I have removed the paragraph that mentioned the medication as a treatment.
Thank you for your valuable comment.
Proglycem is in short supply because it’s an ‘orphan’ drug. ONE drug manufacturer is all that will make it. So don’t be angry at people who give it to ferrets and it’s in short supply. It’s in short supply because no one else will make it. Here in the US and in Canada. (it’s the same maker).
dear troy,
i have a sick ferret and i assure you that my choice of my medication will not change due to it being in short supply. i do what i do for my ferret because he is my pet and my obligation is to take of him, despite these children which “apparently” have trouble obtaining this medication. i have never come across a shortage of this stuff in the MANY YEARS of treating my ferret. im sure it is hard watching your daughter suffer, as its hard to watch my ferret suffer, and i wouldn’t deny him a thing. pain is pain, sir. my job is to relieve it the pain of those that i care about. you have shared your opinion and your dismay in such a judgmental fashion, ignoring an animal’s pain and its caregiver’s sorrow, so i feel no sympathy for you. how dare you try to chastise ferret owners for taking care of their wards.
and on a final note:
finders keepers
losers weepers