Thank you to everyone who wrote me offering information on what blood
panels show, kidney failure and for your concern for Sturmie.
 
I know a lot more than I did when I wrote the post now!
 
Sturmie's blood panel did come back on Friday and he did test positive for
Insulinoma.  After contacting a kidney specialist in Florida, Dr. Putkonen
was sure that the stress of the flu and the Insulinoma was what caused his
kidney's to start to fail.  He does not have total failure, and his
kidney's are currently working fine.
 
They have been giving him fluid treatments to wash his system out.  If I
remember correctly, they judge kidney function by a number from a nitrate
in urine?  The number is supposed to be around 30 to 40, and Sturmie's was
180, so it was poisoning him.  After four days of fluids, it is down to 80.
Dr. Putkonen is taking Sturmie home with him for Sunday since the clinic is
closed to keep the fluids going so the number will be as low as possible
for his Insulinoma surgery on Monday.
 
His still is not eating, though, and they've been force feeding him a
nutrient paste.  Phil got to go see him today (I really wanted to but my
coughing has gotten worse all of a sudden and I was terrified to make him
any sicker).  He said Sturmie was delighted to see him and spent the whole
time climbing in and out of his coat sleeves, around in his sweater and
then finally fell asleep inside of Phil's coat.  We took him some of his
normal food.
 
This whole experience was about 1000 times worse than Bailey's initial
Insulinoma/Adrenal diagnosis.  I thought for sure we were going to lose
him.  Thankfully someone listened to me begging and gave my boy another
shot!  I'm a little worried about his sister since they came from the same
litter.
 
I'm grateful I have a good vet.  I was concerned for awhile about the
information I was receiving, and found it to be because of whom relayed it.
He has a partner that is the dog specialist, and she relayed me the results
about the kidney failure with no further explanation because she doesn't
know anything about ferrets.  But after talking to him and asking him
everything, I'm greatly satisified with the care he's had and is receiving.
 
I can't WAIT to get my boy back!!
 
Thank you for all your concern and good wishes,
Julie
[Posted in FML issue 2551]