First of all, thanks to all those who wrote me about what to expect in
late stage insulinoma-- I think I wrote to each of you individually, but
if I missed anyone, please know how much I appreciate your willingness to
write about a painful topic.  A couple of ferret owners asked me to share
what I learned, so I thought there might be others out there who would
appreciate a summary of what I learned from other ferret owners.  And, of
course, an Amelia update :)
 
I'll start with the update first-- the vet was very happy with Amelia's
health, so much so that we're going to try to back down her dose of
pediapred.  Her BG was actually in the mid-60s but that was after not
eating for probably at least 4 hours, a long time for an insulinoma
ferret.  It was a very encouraging visit, and Amelia really does seem
to be ahead of the curve for her age and length of time with insulinoma.
The vet felt that the complaining noises that's I've been hearing were
most likely due to Amelia's big pred belly and spleen causing her some
discomfort, and not a tremendous amount of pain.  A couple people who
wrote to me noted that older ferrets grumble more, just like older people,
and that seems to be the case here.
 
Now the summary of the information I received--
As the disease progresses, seizures can start occuring even with
medication.  The seizures look and sound awful-- the ferret jerks and
screams-- but according to many, including a human being who has also
experienced this kind of seizure, the ferret really does not feel anything
during the seizure and is basically unconscious.  However it is very hard
on the human caretaker to see this happening :( After a seizure, one
should administer karo syrup, honey, or other quickly absorbed sugar
source and once the ferret is "with it" some high protein food like
chicken baby food or duck soup, and these measures will often pull a
ferret around.  There is however always the possibility that a seizure can
prove fatal.
 
In addition to the seizures, other organs are affected by the insulinoma,
usually the heart or the kidneys, and sometimes complications from these
organs can be fatal before the insulinoma itself is technically fatal.
 
In the end, judgement as to when it's time for euthanasia comes down to
the ferret itself.  As long as the ferret has that spark of enjoyment and
an apparent will to live (i.e. eats willingly, even if you have to feed
more to make sure the ferret is eating enough, and is interested in life),
then the ferret's not ready to go and still considers itself to be living
a quality life.  When the ferret is no longer interested in anything,
that's the time to let go.  The sense I have gotten from people generally
is that the seizures, while terrible in appearance, do not immediately
affect the ferret's quality of life.  If they reach a point where they are
happening very frequently that's one thing, but if they are not occuring
frequently enough to interfere with the ferret's quality of life, then the
seizures themselves are not a sign that it's time.
 
It's not very uplifting, is it.  But the fact that the ferret is most
likely unaware of the seizures is somewhat comforting.  Amelia hasn't
reached that point yet, but when/if she does, I'll try to remember that.
I have had to make a euthanasia decision in the past for a ferret with
lymphoma, and with him, as many people said was often the case, I _knew_
when it was time, he pretty much told me he was ready to go.  It seems
like it may be a tougher judgement call with insulinoma, but I think the
important thing will be to remember that the seizures aren't a sign that
it's necessarily time.
 
Thanks again, ferret people really are the best, Regina
 
Regina Harrison  [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask]
 
Gossamer into Spiderweb:
http://www.channel1.com/users/regina/~gossamer.html
 
           So keep your candles burning
        And make her journey bright and pure
           That she will keep returning
               Always and evermore
                  into my arms
[Posted in FML issue 3606]