>I know I'm going to take a hit for this but I also have to tell you >that it's my opinion that the signs of insulinoma are obvious and >knowing what the treatment is, I don't see the value in doing glucose >tests. Mostly because I just can't fathom clipping that nail to the >quick . It is SOOOOOOOOOO painful for the ferret and I just can't >bring myself to do it. Does knowing what the glucose level is affect >how you are treating the insulinoma? I'm just looking for a solution >to clipping that nail...and some may call my way a crap shoot but my >crap shoot has been succesful and I just thought I'd share with all of >you and try to understand more about why we put these guys through the >pain of blood sugar tests. Okay, long winded but point needs to be made Dear Kim, Are you telling me you are being judge (aka vet) and jury (you) here? You are not validating glucose levels through serum or reliable blood glucose meters? You are basing your diagnosis (aka: not a vet) on signs that you are sure you know exist because you know what they are and have seen them? Seriously, I am concerned. Do you know that other illnesses can mimic low blood glucose levels in ferrets? Im sure you do. Do you know diabetes can mimic low blood sugar in ferrets apart from sometimes not so obvious symptoms? Are you telling me a little clip of the nail, a prick of the tail or of the toe is much worse than having a ferret properly diagnosed by an experienced vet? I beg to differ. You are playing with fire when you self diagnose what you think may be low glucose. Testing glucose is as simple as getting an animal validated meter and pricking a toe pad or tail. This of course is done AFTER a vet visit to confirm the diagnosis. It's done mainly to monitor falling glucose levels so if need be your vet can confirm and adjust the dosage of pred. I assume you knew that yes, people would speak out against this or you wouldn't have stated as such. We humans, ferret moms and dads are not Vets. Period. Using a human monitor is just that - a monitor! Even such, they can be 20 plus points off in either direction. They (in humans also) are used again to monitor glucose so that humans (aka humans of ferrets too) can call their docs/vets to let them know they need an adjustment of meds. I'm sorry; I'm quite shocked that you have taken this into your own hands in the manner in which you speak. And again, I'm worried (with reason) that instead of proper vet care, you are assuming your judgment is correct. Step up to bat... get the suspects to the vet for a serum glucose reading. Get an animal validated meter or at least a meter you can use to compare readings to a serum (even those are risky I've found with ferrets) at your Vet's and stop thinking you can't do it or the pain it causes for a split second. I've tested toe pads for a couple of years using nothing but a few licks of tone, a lancet and an animal validated meter. The ferret is none the worse for the wear and usually doesn't even pay attention or flinch. Stop playing Vet and get them to one. Your squeamishness can and will eventually cause a death that could have been prevented had you taken the correct steps. Test glucose, go to vet and confirm with serum, have the vet put them on correct dosage of pred... Voila.. easy. Revisit the vet as soon as you get another off reading for a possible adjustment in meds. Voila, easy. And you will be doing the proper thing. After all, neither you nor I are vets. It is not in good conscious to try and act like one. [Posted in FML 5505]