I'm sure to be one of many people responding to these questions about what
to feed a ferret that may have insulinoma.  But that's likely better than
everyone thinking everyone else will respond and no one actually doing it,
right?  So, in response to the following (abbreviated) post:
 
>Date:    Tue, 26 Sep 2000 14:35:45 EDT
>From:    Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Medical questions
>Also, what is an easy weight-gaining suppliment for Winnie?  I have tried
>the Ferret glop that is the same as hairball remedy and it's not really
>doing anything, except make Winnie poop alot more than normal.
>
>I know about home concocted duck soup, chicken gravey stuff but being the
>lazy bachelor that I am, I would much prefer something ready-made or at
>least not quite so involved.
 
I say:
If the "glop" to which you refer is Nutrical or a laxative paste, you
should know both of these contain sugar and are therefore not good for
insulinomic ferrets.  While Nutrical is high in calories and is often used
as a supplement for animals that are not eating well or failing to gain
weight, it is not a balanced diet for ferrets, with or without insulinoma.
If it's the laxative, that will not likely help with weight gain and may
be responsible for the increased volume of poop, as well as potentially
contributing to weight loss.
 
Unfortunately for all us ferret-owned folk, there is not yet a ready-made
well-balanced equivalent to the duck soup and chicken gravy "stuff." [sigh]
However, soaking a bit of high protein, high quality ferret kibble in
filtered water to soften it and then blending it to a soup-like consistency
really takes little time.  I mix up batches for my little old lady (who
turned 8 in August and has had surgery for insulinoma and adrenal disease)
every few days.  The soaking takes an hour-ish (if you heat the water
first) to overnight (in the fridge), the blending (food processors are a
great time-saving device) takes a few minutes, and a batch can be
refrigerated for several days.  Then I just spoon an appropriate quantity
into a microwave-safe bowl and warm slightly for each feeding.  It's faster
than making my own breakfast of instant cream of wheat, and Selena loves to
sit on my lap and eat from her special little bowl.  Great "mommy and me"
bonding time.
 
Good luck with Winnie.
 
Tammy
and Selena (I *can* chew my food, I simply choose not to.)
[Posted in FML issue 3188]