Hi all:
 
Thanks to those of you who responded about Ricky (for those of you who
missed it, he couldn't walk yesterday without falling over and running into
things, it was a really horrible sight).  I guess that I should have
mentioned that when Ricky had the valentine's day episode a year and a half
ago, we checked for low blood sugar, and this at that time was not the
problem.  Of course I did suspect this being the problem this time, and I
did request that Ricky have a blood sugar test done.  I was just wondering
if anyone else had problems with their ferret falling over/walking
shaky/looking drunk & dizzy WITHOUT having low blood sugar, as I feared he
would not, since last time he was OK.
 
So, here's the latest: Ricky and his sister, Sassy, spent the night at the
vets.  When he came home, he was much, much better.  He's still shaky, more
than normal, but much less than he was this time yesterday.  The vet did run
a blood sugar test, the result was 83, which is borderline insulinoma.  He
also had ear mites, which *might* mean that he had resulting trouble, i.e.
ear infection, due to his ears.  Both would cause his symptoms.
 
So now he's on an antibiotic and is getting daily earmite medicine.  On
friday we will be drawing blood to send off to have a definite test done to
determine insulinoma or not.  Either way, I will finally know if he's got it
or not.  While I really hope the test comes back negative, if it does we'll
be at square one again with no idea of what is wrong with him.  If only I
were rich, I'd take him to the best specialists in the country!  <sigh> For
now, he's eating and drinking and pooping and playing, so for that, we
should be thankful.
 
Kymberlie Becker
Director, Pennsylvania Ferret Rescue Association
"Forget Puppy Love...There's nothing Greater than Ferret Love!" TM
[Posted in FML issue 1904]