There is a lot in the FHL Archives, luckily, but it is a very hard
disease to manage.
Is this rebound diabetes (after long steroid use, after advanced
insulinoma, or after insulinoma surgery), or diabetes by itself?
Rebound diabetes often (but not always) corrects on its own.
It is wonderful that you tested. Diabetes can look like insulinoma
and every two years or so we hear of one who was automatically treated
for insulinoma instead of having the glucose tested so either died or
had severe organ damage from the use of the opposite approach needed
for diabetes.
Here are some things to help you:
http://www.unc.edu/%7Epjdutche/bloodsugar/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG376
is from about a half year ago and says:
>As others have pointed out, it is time to do a simple blood glucose
>test to see if his blood glucose is elevated (ie diabetes) or normal.
>If it is normal then a blood profile can be done to check the kidneys
>and a urine test can be done to check for a bladder infection. If his
>blood glucose is elevated then insulin may be needed to control his
>diabetes. PZI or Glargine insulin seem to work best in ferrets. You
>can also use chromium to help lower the blood glucose level.
>You ae correct that baby food (especially if you add water to it)
>will make a ferret urinate more than just dry kibble will, because
>more water goes in so more urine has to go out.
>Hope that helps,
>Jerry Murray, DVM
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG331
>Ferrets very rarely get diabetes, but it certainly can happen. Your
>vet should do a urinalysis and check the blood sugar on this ferret.
>Increased urination can also indicated a urinary tract infection or
>kidney disease.
>
>Dr. Karen
>Aka Karen Purcell DVM
>Author: Essentials of Ferrets
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG5628
on a way that insulinoma can lead to diabetes
>Actually, although it sounds contradictory, it does happen.
>
>Here's how it occurs: The insulinoma occurs first, liberating high
>levels of insulin. We combat it with prednisone, which raises the
>blood glucose in spite of the high insulin levels. After months of
>high insulin levels, the body gradually downregulates the insulin
>receptors on the cells, which are being overstimulated. As the cells
>become non-insulin responsive, the animal develops diabetes. Its a
>form on insulin-unresponsive diabetes (Type 2), and it seen not
>infrequently in ferrets on long-term prednisone for insulinoma control.
>
>The blood doesn't alternate between high and low - the pattern you
>see in these ferret is that it is low for a long time, then all of
>a sudden it goes in to the 250-350 range or higher.
>
>Another reason to consider surgical treatment in younger ferrets as
>soon as the disease is diagnosed.
>
>With kindest regards,
>
Bruce Williams, DVM
Related (insulinoma article but I think it touches on when diabetes
then happens, too):
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/PDF/insulinoma.pdf
I haven't asked permission to quote her but DO click open and read
this post from Pam Sessoms for excellent info:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG330
Monitoring advances info from Tony:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG176
Testing info from Dr. Susan Brown:
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/physiology.htm
and there is plenty more to be found through the FHL Archives which
have a separate location from the FHL. Check the FML Archives, too,
please! You can find the URL for that in the header of every day's FML.
By Dr. Charles Weiss:
http://www.bradleyhills.com/ferrets/health_issues/insulinoma/
By Dr. Mike Garner:
http://www.zoopath.com/DiseasesofDomesticFerrets.pdf
By the vets of Long Beach Animal Hospital (for cats but some good
general info):
http://www.lbah.com/feline/diabetes.htm
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
[Posted in FML 5690]
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