Hi all, I was originally just going to post this to FAIML but then I
figured there are ferrets with other serious illnesses it could pertain to
as well so I'd share it with the whole FML.
 
Our Lemke has been seriously ill for the last 2 months with sudden onset
diabetes on top of his insulinomas, and had reached the point about 2 weeks
ago where he not only stopped eating, but refused his soup as well (the
soup was the only thing that kept him alive through the first week or so of
the crisis when he stopped eating his TF).  He was starting to slip away
from us & we and our wonderful Vet knew that if we didn't do something it
was all over, so in desperation we tried an appetite stimulant for cats on
him: cyproheptadine.  I should note that she had tried this on another
ferret once before, but that poor guy had too much wrong with him to make
it even though the Rx seemed to help.
 
Well with Lem it's been amazing.  he'd lost almost half his bodyweight, but
is now slowly gaining it back.  He eats ravenously - I have to watch out
for my fingers when he eats from my hand, (Lem's sacred rule is that his
teeth don't come in contact with human flesh, so this is a big deal)and he
eats frequently - every time he wakes up it's time for more kibble.  Having
food in his system has also helped stabilize him in general, before his
blood sugar was shooting up & down uncontrollably & now his medicine is
able to work more consistently and help bring is quality of life back up.
So far we've seen no side effects though with everything else going on in
his little system it might be hard to notice.
 
Please bear in mind that this medication has NOT been tested on ferrets, it
may have serious or even fatal long term repurcussions that no-one knows
about as yet - we tried it because we had no other choices left - but if
you're also up against that wall it might be worth discussing with your
vet.  Lem's bodyweight was down to 1 lb, 8 oz and we're giving him .5 ml
of the cyproheptadine every 12 hours.
 
Here's hoping all your fuzzies are well & you never need this info.
 
Eden & her three guys Misha, Lemke & Bill (the human one)
 
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[Posted in FML issue 2682]