>Does givig pred to an insulinomic ferret allow the receptors on cells >the detect insulin to "burn out" or become non-responsive? If so, does >this mean it is not a good idea to treat a ferret with pred and then stop >the pred to do surgery? Prednisone doesn't affect insulin receptors at all - it actually increases the mobilization of fat and the manufacture or glucose by the liver from building blocks of protein and more complex sugars. If a ferret has been on pred to manage hypoglycemia, I generally do not recommend stopping prednisone prior to surgery. It can be stopped following surgery, and at this time, the blood glucose should be monitored closely - there is often a post surgical hyperglycemia that may be worsened by post-surgical prednisone administration. With kindest regards, Bruce Williams, DVM [Posted in FML issue 3482]