Here is some information about insulinomas from the Animal
Medical Center that should be of interest.  It is one of
many informational leaflets handed out there, but the only
one I saw on ferrets while I was there with Bandit:
 
                    INSULINOMAS IN FERRETS
 
Insulinoma is a very common disease in middle age to older
ferrets (3-6 years of age).  Insulin is a hormone which lowers
the increased blood sugar that occurs after a meal.  It is
produced by specific cells in the pancreas.  In ferrets with
an insulinoma, these cells become cancerous and produce too
much insulin.  The high insulin concentration causes the blood
sugar to drop too low for the brain and nervous system to function
normally.
 
Insulinomas are slow growing tumors but can occur as one or
multiple tumors throughout the pancreas.  Clinical signs are
related to the amount of insulin produced by the tumor.  Early
signs may be a decrease in normal activity, an increase in
sleeping, or a weakness in the back legs.  More commonly,
ferrets will have episodes of weakness of collapse.  During
these episodes, ferrets may appear nauseous and salivate or
paw at their mouth.  Some ferrets appear dazed, unresponsive,
or in a coma.  Rarely a ferret may seizure during these episodes.
The episodes typically last several minutes.  Ferrets usually
recover on their own, but may remain weak for several hours
afterward.
 
Diagnosis of insulinoma is based on the history of episodes of
weakness, the results of the physical examination, and blood
tests.  We treat insulinomas with medical therapy, surgery, or
a combination of both.  Which way we treat your ferret depends
on how sick your ferret is, how old your ferret is, and what
treatment you feel most comfortable with.
 
Medical therapy involves giving drugs which help keep the blood
sugar at a normal concentration.  Two drugs are commonly used:
prenisolone and diazoxide (Proglycem).  These drugs help control
the clinical signs but will not stop the growth of the tumor.
With time, more medication is usually needed because of the
increasing concentration of insulin.  You must stay in touch
with your doctor and give regular updates on your ferret's
condition as the medications may need to be readjusted.
 
Surgical therapy involves removing the section of the pancreas
which contains the tumor.  Surgery is usually not curative, but
can significantly slow the progress of the disease.  The normal
hospital stay is two to three days.  Medication may or may not
be needed after surgery, depending on how advanced the disease
is.  Even with surgery, most ferrets eventually need medication
to keep blood sugar at a normal concentration.
 
If your ferret has an insulinoma, learn to recognize the signs
of low blood sugar: episodes of weakness, salivating, sleeping
too much, or excessive tiredness.  What should you do if your
ferret becomes weak or collapses?  First, make sure your ferret
has been given the prescribed medication in the right amount.
If he can eat, give him his normal food, baby food, or Nutrical.
If he is too weak to eat, rub honey, Karo syrup, or sugar water
on his gums.  As soon as he can swallow, hand feed him a meal.
Call your doctor as soon as possible to discuss further treatment.
If your ferret does not respond within a few minutes or is
seizuring, come into the hospital as an emergency.
 
Insulinoma is a serious disease that requires treatment.  But
with proper care, your ferret can have a happy, normal life.
 
                    The Animal Medical Center
            Speyer Hospital and Caspary Research Institute
                       510 East 62nd Street
                     New York, New York 10021
                          212-838-8100
 
[Posted in FML issue 0240]