I have received many good, thoughtful and informative messages from a lot of people today regarding Moogie's diagnosis of insulinoma. I will reply to everyone individually, but that will take time, and I wanted to be sure to say "thanks" in general to everyone. My husband and I are still in the process of deciding what to do at this point. We probably will not make a final decision until next week on what avenue to pursue, because the one pretty universal thread in all the messages I've gotten today has been "Get another opinion!" Moogie's diagnosis was based on examination alone-- no blood tests or anything; that was partially because the vet didn't seem to think it was really necessary, and partially because of prohibitive cost. The vet was really pushing me to get the ultrasound done across town-- she said it would make the definitive diagnosis. I am still at least 99% convinced that it is insulinoma, because he has every single sign of it that was mentioned in the FAQ, even things that I didn't mention to the vet because I didn't think it was related. I realize that he is very young for it; but I adopted him from the Humane Society and no one really knows how old he is. I suspect he's had insulinoma for quite a while, though, and the more cynical part of me suspects that this is probably why he's been through four homes in a year and a half-- probably because he doesn't look or play like healthier ferrets (but he's more than affectionate enough to make up for it). At the moment, we are leaning towards trying to treat him with medication. I've had more e-mails from people who treat their ferrets with Prednisone, other medications, and diet changes who tell me that theirs do quite well on this regimen, than I have from people recommending surgery. It's not decided for sure though, until I get him to another vet to get a second opinion-- especially since this vet doesn't seem to consider medication an option-- she never even mentioned it! Only surgery. I will admit that I would be thinking more positively about the surgery option if I had more money, though, and I hate it that this has to come under consideration, but I'm also struggling with the idea of borrowing money for this operation when my daughter's uninsured, I am in desperate need of dental work, I'm being sued by the local hospital for unpaid emergency room bills, etc etc. I really don't want to sound like I'm rationalizing myself out of spending money on my pet-- because I really really love him, I'm more attached to Moogie than I am to the other animals because he seems to need me more and appreciate me more-- but I'm just trying to explain to the community out there, whose opinions I respect, that I'm forced to consider every side of this particular situation. I really do love him and I hope I can do something to help him. I've cried and cried over this and last night I couldn't sleep until I had one of my fuzzies to sleep with (not that she would cuddle, but still...). I'll keep everybody informed. Vickie, Moogie, Pandora, Tank, Flower, Ogre, Subatai, hoomans Seth & Tori, & one fish. [Posted in FML issue 2444]