Hi all -
 
I never post anything, but this question really got to me.  I have been
owned by 3 ferrets in my life.  My first little girl died after adrenal
surgery at 4 1/2 years old.  My boy, Taz was recently diagnosed with
insulinoma and we are having a really hard time controlling his glucose
levels.  He is almost 7 years old.  My third ferret is a 4 year old little
girl who was a rescue - - as of right now (knock on wood) she is not sick.
It tears my heart out to watch my little boy be sick.  It literally makes
me crazy that I am just waiting for the girl to start showing signs of
adrenal, or something else.  The fuzzies steal your heart so completely.
They are little angels with fur.  I just don't know if I will be able to
get anymore...knowing ahead of time that one day they are going to get
sick...then they will suffer, and then they will die.  I hate to be so
negative, because I love ferrets so much.  Ever since I got my first one
in 1994 I have been hooked.  I just don't know if I can continue to go
through it.
 
On this note, I must ask for help.  Has anyone has had an insulinoma
ferret that went from low blood glucose levels to extremely high levels
without surgery?  My Taz (age 6 years 11 months) was presenting with low
glucose levels, we put him on Pred...and then weeks later when we checked
his levels again they had sky-rocketed and have remained extremely high.
He has since been taken off the Pred completely (obviously) and we have
started him on insulin.  So far he has been mostly resistant to the
insulin and his blood glucose levels remain incredibly high.  I am very
worried about him.  He is starting to show hind end weakness, he drinks &
urinates very frequently and his enery is low.  I am working with a
wonderful veterinarian, but of course I am looking for help & answers from
anywhere & everywhere.  Anything to get my Taz stabilized at the very
least.  As you can imagine, I am feeling desperate.  Any and all help,
advice, anecdotes etc is appreciated!  Thanks so much.
 
 
Shelby, Taz & Silky Bear
[Posted in FML issue 3774]