The good news is: there is a chance that since the pancreatic surgery was done so early (before insulinoma diagnosis) that the surgery might have cured the developing disease. I have one of those very rare cured ferrets, also. His pancreatic tumors were found and removed during an adrenal surgery. That was two years ago. Normally, insulinoma symptoms return within a year of an insulinoma surgery. Jelly has had no insulinoma symptoms at all in that time, nor had he had any insulinoma symptoms prior to the surgery. I have two other ferrets, Posey and Chiquita, that had undiagnosed insulinomas at the time of adrenal surgery this year. So far, neither of them have exhibited any insulinoma symptoms, either, so my fingers are crossed for them as well. Treats: they USED to tell us "no sweets for insulinoma ferrets". New research has shown that the pancreas of insulinoma ferrets does not react the same way as a reaction to sweet treats the same way it occurs in a healthy ferret. Now, sugary treats (moderately) are RECOMMENDED for insulinoma ferrets but NOT for healthy ferrets. Occasional sugary treats are not going to hurt your ferret. Even 1 or 2 mildly sweet treats a day such as the fruits you are giving is well within bounds. I give a daily sweet treat to Jelly, Posey, and Chiquita. Vets USED to prescribe Karo syrup as a treatment for insulinoma, then that practice was generally discontinued, and some vets mix pred with Karo. For Luigi, his teeth grinding & appetite loss could very well be borderline insulinoma symptoms (but I would expect blood sugar levels under 80; insulinoma is not diagnosed until it's less than 70). Or his symptoms may simply be an elderly digestive tract that's easily irritated. The ever present helicobacter becomes more of a problem in older ferrets, also, and can precipitate symptoms like Luigi's. I have one young ferret, Lucky, 3yrs old., that has recurring bouts of intestinal tract irritation with the same symptoms as Luigi. He stops playing, stops eating, grinds his teeth, and if I don't catch it within the first few days he starts losing weight rapidly. I put him on 1.0ml pediapred for 1 week, then 0.5ml pediapred for the next week, and feed him chicken baby food at least twice a day. If he's not eating regular kibble the first few days, I feed him small amounts (a heaping teaspoon) of baby food every 2 or 3 hours until his appetite returns. The chicken baby food is easier to digest and easier on the stomach and intestinal tract than their regular kibble. The smaller amounts, more frequently are less likely to increase the stomach upset. A half a jar of chicken baby (plain, no veggies added)a day is sufficient nutrition, but a whole jar a day is preferable. Nutri-Cal is an excellent supplement. Chicken baby food can also be given twice daily as a standard dietary supplement for insulinoma ferrets. A couple of teaspoons (warmed) morning and night as a protein boost will keep their metabolism up and blood sugar production going. (I use a kibble soup with egg yolk added for this. I've always got soup blended in the fridge anyway for a variety of treatments and as just a daily treat, so adding an egg yolk to an 8oz. jar for my insulinoma kids is simpler for me. The recipe is on my web site in the Feeding a Sick Ferret article.) With all digestive tract problems it's important to keep an eye out for black tarry poops. This is an indication that the stomach is bleeding from ulcers and Carafate needs to be prescribed. The sooner you start the Carafate, the better. I always keep some in the cabinet in case ulcer symptoms start showing on weekends. Just 12 hours can make a big difference in heading off a serious ulcer problem. Pred does help to stimulate the appetite, but it also fights inflammation. A 7 year old may be starting to slow down in activity, but he should still have a spurt of energy now and then, just not as regularly or as often. Debi Christy Ferrets First Foster Home Practical & easy training, care, & maintenance articles available at http://www.geocities.com/ferretsfirst/ [Posted in FML issue 3916]