To Stephen and Colleen:
 
If your vet hasn't yet run blood tests, I would strongly suggest one for the
blood glucose levels.  One of the common signs of hypoglycemia due to an
insulin-secreting tumor in the pancreas is seizures and vocalization.
Epilepsy is another consideration, but it is far less common.
 
 A comon practice in treating insulinomas, at least something you can do on
 the way to the vet is to rub some Karo syrup over the ferret's gums, which
 will help to raise the blood sugar closer to a normal level, and may take him
 out of the seizure range.
 
If the blood sugar is below 70 mg/dl, then insulinoma should be strongly
considered in the differential diagnosis.  Exploratory abdominal surgery is
indicated - most of these tumors can be removed at surgery, although a
significant percentage - probably about 33-40% may develop additional tumors
within a year.
 
Keep us posted.....
 
Bruce Williams, DVM  [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1131]