To Geri and Roddenberry RE:  Pancreatic Cancer
 
        First of all, since I've never heard of an actual pancreatic
*cancer*, I'm going to assume that what your vet means is that Roddenberry
has pancreatic beta-cell tumour(s), which causes hyperinsulinoma (too much
insulin -- this is why glucose is low and Roddenberry is on prednisone --
prednisone increases blood glucose).  Dr. Kawasaki did some studies this
summer and determined that prednisone is indeed the best agent to bring
glucose up in cases of pancreatic tumours.  However, there is another product
which is almost as effective and does not have the detrimental effects that
the long-term use of prednisone has.  If Roddenberry has this type of tumour,
unless it/they are surgically removed, the problem will not go away.  This
means he'll have to be on pred for life.  For Roddenberry, that could be a
few years.  The problem with this is that long-term use of prednisone (a
steroid) can and often does lead to immune supression, allowing the animal to
become susceptible to other diseases.  However, there is another product,
called Proglycem, which raises glucose and does not cause immune supression
with prolonged use.  The drawback -- it costs about $90 for a 30ml (I think)
bottle.  But it lasts quite a while -- dosage is often less than .5ml twice
daily.
 
        If we are talking pancreatic beta-cell tumour (how was `pancreatic
cancer' diagnosis arrived at -- symptoms, blood tests, biopsy?), there is the
option of surgery.  If the tumour(s) is/are not microscopic, which they only
are about 10-20% of the time, they might be able to be removed surgically.
This surgery is somewhat risky, as manipulation of the pancreas often causes
post-surgical pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).  However, the
ferret often recovers from this, and most who pull out of surgery okay end up
with a dramatically improved blood glucose level.  (Pre-surgery glucose
anywhere from 20-65 (65 being low normal), post-surgery glucose 100 or
usually more).  The tumours often recur 6 mos. to 2 yrs. down the road, but
if successful the surgery is more effective than treatment with medication,
and will probably keep the ferret healthy longer.  If you and your vet
consider surgery an option, or if there is another in the area who does and
won't charge outrageous prices (it makes me mad what some vets will charge in
the name of being specialists -- no one should have to pay an arm and three
legs for good medical care for any animal), s/he can call Dr. Tom Kawasaki
for advise on procedure.  His number is (703)-690-2580, at Old Bridge
Veterinary Hospital in Woodbridge, Va.  They're open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
 
        Hope this helps.  Good luck to you and Roddenberry!
 
                                        Laura
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Laura L'Heureux, Trella, and Tribble, too
U. of Illinois Vet Med Class of 96
[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 0582]