Dr Williams: Is it possible for ferrets to have low glucose levels for other reasons other than insulinoma? Recently, we have had instances in some of our shelter ferrets - as well as one of mine own - where glucose levels were relatively low (50 - 78) and it was originally thought these ferrets might have insulinoma. One 4 yr old shelter ferret with a BG of 55 had surgery, and while his pancreas appeared ok, his left adrenal was significantly enlarged and was removed (this ferret was also drinking *alot* of water and was practically bald). Since his surgery, he is a different ferret - he plays all the time, stays awake much longer, etc, and we'll be checking his BG in 2 wks, but right now he is on no meds. An approx 2 yr old neutered male ferret sitting in Animal Control for about 6 wks was rescued by us as well - when we had him vet-checked, we did a BG for the hell of it and it was 78. While our vet doesn't feel he needs to be on meds at this time, we're wondering if improper nutrition and care are partly responsible. (When we got him out of animal control, at first glance we thought he was a silver - but he was really an albino - filthy dirty - and animal control was calling him "she"). He's on Totally Ferret, Marshall Farms Ferret Diet, Iams, etc, and his coat and muscle are improving. We plan on having his BG rechecked in a few weeks. As you may remember, Libby, my 3 yr old was dx'd with cardiomyopathy and insulinoma last summer. Her heart US was normal, and although the previous vet who saw her consistently heard a heart murmur, my new vet doesn't hear any murmurs. BTW, my new vet uses a stethoscope for babies, it's much smaller, and he feels more appropriate for ferrets. Her BG from last summer went from 89 to 78 to 55. She has been on pred since 9/95, not a high dose either - .25 cc q other day (5 mg per 5 ml), and a recent fasting BG was 132. Since the pred is so minimal, I'm going to discuss with my new vet stopping the pred. She is acting more normal now as well. So, Laura (our Shelter Director) and I are wondering if these ferrets - or any ferret for that matter - can have temporarily low BG's due to other systemic infections or illnesses? Can we really jump to a dx of insulinoma based on 1 or 2 BGs?? Debbie Riccio WNYFLFA Rochester, NY [Posted in FML issue 1515]