Insulinoma is a common ferret problem that is tackled regularly by us all. Caught early, surgery cures about about 60% of the cases. Of the remaining 40% there can be further growths in the pancreas and then -- depending on the ferret's health and the timing -- further surgery of the use of Prednisone, or Proglycem, or both is done. Through the illness the levels of the meds need to increase according to need. If your vet is not used to insulinoma then there are those vets who can provide both regular consultations for your vet, and second opinions. Here are places that have lists of ferret knowledgeable vets for various states, provinces, etc.: http://www.quincyweb.net/quincy/vet.html, http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/vets.htm Specifically California if you are there: http://www.ferretnews.org/clinic.html, http://www.ferretsanonymous.com/medical.html You can also search under "Starferrets" and find a list, and check in http://www.ferretcentral.org for links to more. These two might be harder to access, but if you ask Bill Gruber, FML moderator at <[log in to unmask]> he can direct you to a more recent copy of the shelter list which also gives the vets that the shelters use. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list/files/FML-shelter-list.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list/files/FerretVets.html [Moderator's note: There have been about 10 revisons to the Shetler List since it was last distributed to subscribers. You can get a revised copy by e-mailing [log in to unmask] and writing SEND SHELTER LISTS in the body of the e-mail. BIG] For specific questions about insulinoma and other health problems there are multiple vets and other experts at http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth . (Also go to http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/ to learn a great deal as well as these by vets: http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html, http://members.atlantic.net/~weah/ferrets.html, http://home.att.net/~hhoefer/, http://www.lbah.com/Ferrets/ferret_diseases.htm, especially http://www.bradleyhills.com/ and http://www.ferretdoctor.com, http://exoticandbirdclinic.com/ http://www.weareanimalhospital.com/healthinfo.htm ) If the ferret is having seizures then the current medication or it's level is not sufficient; this means that more medication is needed at this point: either more Prednisone or also some Proglycem. Call the vet; get a prescription for Proglycem and ask the vet to give you a run down on the increments for raising the Prednisone when it fails to work. Ferrets are very resistant to steroid problems. We have actually had a one and half pound ferret on as much a 5 mg/day (in two doses) which is an incredibly high dose, but at that point she had advanced insulinoma and lymphoma so those doses gave her about a month of more of quality time after she normally would have had a mercy shot. Rarely, a ferret will have other serious health problems that prevent surgery and also counter-indicate the two useful meds. Then sweet drinks (like water with Nutrical mixed in -- changed a few times every day) raise the blood glucose again. This is an option that usually best left until the insulinoma is advanced, but has been useful for some. There are routes to help and hope available for her and you. [Posted in FML issue 3849]