The insulinoma study that Dr. Charles Weiss' conducted and wrote has been
published.  Dr. Bruce Williams is also listed on the article.  The study
compares longevity in ferrets who received 1) medicine only, 2) tumor
removal or 3) tumor removal along with a portion of the pancreas (partial
pancreatectomy).  It clearly shows that partial pancreatectomies give far
greater lifespans than meds alone or just tumor removal.
 
Unfortunately, a lot of vets don't know how to do the partial
pancreatectomy, or don't know much about ferret surgery in general.  For
instance, some fast ferrets all night before surgery (it should be only 3-4
hours), give the wrong anesthesia (it should only be isoflurane), or spend
far too long on the surgery (2 hours is way too long - the "average" ferret
surgery should be 20-45 minutes.
 
"Backwards" treatment is also prevalent.  Vets oftentimes recommend meds
(e.g., pediapred, proglycem) until they lose effectiveness and only then
suggest the surgery.  But the meds don't stop tumor growth, only symptoms,
and if you wait until the ferret is in the last stages of the disease
before doing surgery, of course it doesn't work as well.
 
Insulinoma surgery should be done at the very first sign of the disease,
assuming the ferret is a good surgical candidate.
 
In any case, here's the journal reference: Insulinoma in the Ferret:
Clinical Findings and Treatment Comparisons of 66 cases.  Journal of the
American Animal Hospital Association.  Nov/Dec 1998; 34:471-5
 
Dr. Weiss received the journal yesterday; I happened to have an appointment
so got a copy.
 
The American Animal Hospital Association told me they would fax or snail
mail out individual copies, unless they are bombarded with hundreds of
requests.  Their Member Services number is 1-800-883-6301.  If you want a
copy of the journal for the the color photos (just one page, but they show
the tumors well), you can buy a copy of the journal for $15.00 (nonmembers)
or $10.00 (members - your vet may be a member).
 
If you'd like a simple draft information sheet on insulinoma, just email me
privately.  I don't usually read the fml.
 
Here's the last line in the article:  "This surgical technique (pancreatic
nodulectomy combined with partial pancreatectomy) appears to result in a
dramatically increased disease-free interval and survival time."
 
As the owner of ferrets (3) who have had the surgery, one of them twice (by
Dr. Kawasaki and Dr. Weiss) all I can say is hear, hear.  It's about time.
 
Thank you for your hard work and caring, Dr. Weiss, your availability (even
during vacations), and your determination to light the way.
 
Beth and David and their cherished threesome:
Miska (insulinoma survivor since 1995), Gabby the Googer (insulinoma
survivor since 1997), and Paddington aka Pads the Man (insulinoma survivor
since 1998)
[Posted in FML issue 2482]