I apologize for the length of this mailing before I start... I sent a note in to the FML almost two weeks ago in a real tizzy. My baby was sick, and no-one here knew what was wrong... Thanks to all your support, information and e-mails, Guy has been diagnosed (insulinoma), and his treatment has been going for over a week. Now, for all those who want to know how my baby is doing, I thought I'd sent in an update. 11/3 My sable hob, Guy, started walking strangely. I decided to watch him overnight to see if it continued in the morning, as he seemed healthy otherwise. 12/3 Guy is still walking strangely, in fact he's made a definate turn for the worse. I go straight to my vet, who knows little about what can be wrong. In a panic, I wrote in to the FML with his symptoms. Believing that he may have 'wobbler syndrome', or a spinal injury, the vet puts Guy on prednisone. 13/3 I receive TONS of e-mail from various FMLers with information. All suggest that my boy may have something called insulinoma. I pass all the information onto the vet. By now, Guy has stopped eating and drinking, and cannot walk. He sleeps most of the day, waking only to drag himself to his corner to go to the toilet. He's booked in to go to the vet for testing in the morning. At least the fasting isn't going to be as bad as I thought it would be... 14/3 Guy is still deteriorating. He still refuses to eat, although he drank a little in the morning. He's already lost a lot of weight, and I'm scared that he may not survive the next few days. The vet doesn't like the look of him, and we think the prednisone is having an adverse effect on him. The diagnosis of insulinoma is confirmed, and the vet decides to keep him on the prednisone for now. A change of diet is suggested - I write in to the FML with a progress report, and request for information on 'duck soup'. 15/3 Guy's condition picks up. He's slightly perkier than he was, and I'm feeling more hopeful about his future. Several people respond to my request for information, and I find one specifically for insulinoma. I rush into town to buy what ingredients I can. I'm still nervous about Guy's prospects, and hope he'll take to the duck soup. I'm a little worried, because many of the ingredients aren't available in New Zealand, but readily find substitutes. Guy takes to the soup like a duck to water... 16/3 Guy's improvement in remarkable. He is now half-dragging himself around the house, and has chosen his own bed (he likes the cat basket with the clothing and pillows best). He has begun to eat the duck soup with relish, although he still eats little. 17/3 - 21/3 Still more improvement. He's eating more and more every day. His fur is beginning to fall out, which scares me (I'm worried about adrenal problems), the vet believes that this is mainly due to the stress of the illness. With Guy's further improvement, and some reassurance from people e-mailing me, I decide to keep an eye on him, but not panic (yet). He hobbles down the stairs, and back up again by himself. Not bad when, only a few days before he couldn't walk! 22/3 I bring in my other ferrets for a run. Guy chases some of the females with interest (one of my females has just gone into heat) for over half an hour. He rests, and spends more time with them. He needs his food bowl to be refilled several times. A definate improvement! He's eating almost as much as he should! He's still skinny, more noticable because of his semi-bald patches over his ribs, but he's doing fine. 23/3 Guy climbs onto the couch. This is the first time he's managed this since he's become ill. He doesn't play with the girls as much, but he spends more time looking around the house. With the girls loose, the offices are locked away, and one bedroom is closed so the cats can spend some quality anti-ferret time. He spends some time at the cat-door (to the room with the cats), but loses interest when he finds it locked. He climbs onto my bed, and down again. He's a lot more energetic now, even though he's still sleeping much of the day. Guy has started to eat a lot more, almost doubling his intake at every meal! 24/3 (today) Guy's weight has started to rise, finally. He's starting to look less like a miniature skeleton with patchy skin. Now, he's looking like a real ferret! He follows me when I make up his breakfast, and runs(!!!) after me when I take it to his meal area. YES! He's doing good!!! So, now I'm excited, as is the rest of my family. The vet doesn't really know why he's improved so quickly, but she's making no complaints. Overall, Guy is still a sick baby. He's improved so much in such a short time it amazes me. These guys are so tough! I admit, I'm still worried about him. He doesn't play with me, but ever since I got Guy he hasn't shown signs of playfulness. He's always been a quiet boy who lives to escape. (He rarely succeeds because he's too big.) So far, he's made no concentrated efforts to get free, but then, he knows he's lucky to have full run of the house 24 hours a day. He knows when he's got it made! Anyway, I thought you all (or is it all y'all?) deserved to be told about Guy's progress so far. He's been doing so well, and much of it is due to the speed and thoroughness of the replies I received from the many people who e-mailed and responded through the FML. Thank you all. Sam and Family Ferrets: Gemn (tail-less wonder), Guy (lazy), Podo (my baby), Slinky (nicknamed Stinky) and Vader (crazy) Cats: Mule (stubborn as...) and Silver (whom everyone loves) Rainbow Lorikeets: Johnny (baldy) and Jeni (cute as a multi-coloured button) [Posted in FML issue 1882]