Hello, Melissa and Potpie (and Friday and Puff!) here,
 
I'd like to throw in my .02 (considerably more, actually, but we'll get to
that in a moment!) about insulinoma treatments and costs for ferrets.  My
experience with ferrets has so far only involved five ferrets, but I've run
the gamut of problems with them in the 7 years they've harrassed me with
their presence.  :) So far, we've had:
 
- ECE
- Ulcers
- Adrenal disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Insulinoma
- Cancer
- Hairballs
- Enlarged spleen
 
Of this list, the last five all occurred in the summer of last year.  I
spent *thousands* of dollars treating two ferrets (and a cat).  Pets are
expensive - a bit of preparation and saving will save you future anguish
over vet bills.
 
In reviewing FMLs of the past few weeks I noticed that someone was
bemoaning the price of a new drug her vet wanted her to try for treating
insulinoma for her ferret, as the prednisone was continually becoming less
effective.
 
Prednisone becomes quickly - over the course of a few months - less
effective.  I believe that once you've hit 2mg per 1kg ferret weight per
day, you've reached the maximum effective dose.  At this point, the
inclusion of diazoxide to the insulinoma treatment plan will add another
few months, and the diazoxide dose can also be slowly increased (although I
am not sure to what dosage).  Initial use of diazoxide can show *excellent*
short term improvements, but it does not slow or stop the progress of the
cancer.
 
My vet called around to various hospital pharmacies and found diazoxide (in
a chocolate malt suspension :) for $70 for a 1.5 month supply.  If you are
having price problems, perhaps your vet could call a hospital pharmacy with
a prescription to be made and you could go pick it up, or you could try
mail-order.  I know it comes cheaper than $130 for a one month supply,
however.
 
Melissa, Potpie, Friday, and Puff
 
- [log in to unmask] - This is a coin hold of great beak bird style. -
[Posted in FML issue 2934]