To Lena -
 
        There are so many things that could be wrong here, if all we have to go
on in supposed hepatitis and a negative test for insulinoma.  Ferrets get a
whole wide variety of diseases that can cuase lethargy and lack of appetite, and
of course, if that goes on for a month, he will end up in rough shape.
 
        One negative glucose test for insulinoma is not definitive.  These
neoplasms often cause off and on hypoglycemia, so the test may have been taken
simply at the wrong time.  I would recommend at least one if not more, and if
the level is less than 70, then an exploratory surgery.
 
        Hepatitis is commonly overdiagnosed in ferrets, as elevated liver tests
generally mean only that there is a lot of fat in the liver, which is the normal
ferret response to lack of appetite (it starts to use up the fat stores in its
body.)
 
        The vet needs to re-evaluate and rerun blood tests, and I would
certainly recommend some X-rays for a possible foreign body in the intestine.
Should all of this prove inconclusive, I wouldn't hesitate on doing surgery on
the abdomen to have a look around.
 
 
        To Norris concerning Giardia -
 
        Giardia is a fairly common intestinal protozoa that lives in many animal
species, and only occasionally causes problems.  Animals with severe infections
may show a loose, greenish, flatulent stool.
 
        While there is very little published on Giardia in ferrets, I have heard
enough stories from ferret vets to believe that in certain cases, especially
stressed animals, that it can cause a problem.  Giardia can also be very
difficult to treat.  Most of the treatment centers around prolonged
administration of Flagyl (also known as metronidazole), but successful treatment
may take up to 3-4 weeks in some cases.
 
        Soime species of Giardia can also pass from animals to man (and vice
versa) but that is rare, and generally only occurs with immunosuppressed, very
old, or very young people.  In both people and animals, the diarrhea caused by
Giardia in healthy indviduals is usually self-limiting (goes away on its own.)
 
        But you have three ferrets with Giardia but no signs and are perfectly
healthy?  Maybe you should discuss with your vet if any further treatment is
really necessary or maybe a "wait and see" modality may be instituted at this
time....
 
Bruce Williams, DVM
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[Posted in FML issue 0752]