I've had a couple with diabetes, one of which was post adrenal surgery.
Fortunately, his case was not persistent and glucose levels did not rise
to the point that insulin was needed for maintenance.  From observations,
post adrenal diabetes is a more common risk in ferrets that have had
insulinoma for quite some time prior to surgery.  (Symptoms are not
always easy to spot and are easy to mistake as a temporary malady.)
 
The other case, Pippen, was a ferret that had never had an endocrine
tumor of any kind.  His behavior was typical of insulinoma (staggering
walk, blank stares) but when tested, his glucose was 625.  We used
Humalin (people version), I believe, but we were pretty much taking a
shot in the dark, as there was little information available then, as
well.  Since we're dealing with administering such a tiny amount of
insulin it can be difficult to dose properly.  A fraction of that tiny
dosage can make a difference.  We had considerably difficulty at first
in getting a dosage that would keep his glucose levels stable.
 
We settled on staying with a dosage for 3 days at a time before altering
the dosage to raise or lower his glucose level, whichever was needed.
After several weeks of this, we either got the right dosage finally, or
his system stabilized and he seemed to remain within a healthy tolerance
of acceptable glucose levels, checking glucose weekly.
 
Oddly enough, after the third month, we had to start lowering the insulin
dosage more and more as his glucose/insulin processes returned to normal
and he no longer needed insulin at all.  I'm told that this type of
"transitional" diabetes is rare, but in comparison to discussions with
other who have had ferrets with post adrenal diabetes, the dosage
situation is pretty similar.  Tiny amounts, fractional dosage changes
until you reach a dosage that keeps levels stable.
 
I don't whether the type or brand of insulin would make a difference
or not.
 
Debi Christy
Ferrets First Foster Home
www.ferrets1st.com
[Posted in FML issue 5013]