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Ferret Footnotes
Monthly Newsletter of the
Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas
![[ferret in tube]](nirvelli.jpg)
"Practicing for the Tube Race"
AUGUST 1997
INSULINOMA
INSULINOMA
August Meeting Topic
Sincere thanks to Dr. Greg Moore, DVM, for presenting his lecture and slide show on insulinoma and answering all our questions!
What is Insulinoma?
Insulinoma is "neoplasia of the pancreatic betacells" or tumors that grow on or in the pancreas, an important internal organ for producing insulin and assisting with digestion. The tumors cause a higher than normal insulin level, which in turn drives the blood sugar level so low that the brain doesn't get enough sugar to function well.
What are the Symptoms of Insulinoma?
The lack of food to the brain results in the signs seen which usually are periodic (they come and go on their own). The early signs are: depression, lethargy, blankly staring with poor response to sound or touch, salivating and pawing at the mouth (because they are nauseated), and periodic weakness, especially of the hind quarters. Sometimes enlarged spleens are seen. More severe signs are stupors, seizures, severe weakness, and coma.
How Common is Insulinoma?
Insulinoma may be the most common type of tumor found in the ferret (adrenal tumors are also quite common). About one-third of ferrets over 3 years old are affected with insulinoma. Additionally, about half of insulinoma ferrets also have adrenal tumors. Because insulinoma is so common, all ferrets should have a complete diagnostic exam annually after the age of 3, including a CBC (chemical analysis of bloodwork), thoracic and abdominal radiographs, urinalysis, and physical manipulation to check for abnormalities by feel. Insulinoma may be more common in American ferrets due to inbreeding for special colors, and low-quality diets (high in fibers and sugars). Farm-raised ferrets (such as Marshall Farms) have a higher incidence of the disease.
How is Insulinoma Diagnosed?
A fasting blood test is usually performed to measure blood-sugar levels. Do not allow your ferret to eat food for 4-6 hours (less or more fasting will cause problematic readings). A blood sample is taken, either from the cephalic vein (leg), jugular vein (neck), or lateral saphenous vein (back). It is not recommended to take a diagnostic sample from the toenail or tail, as this is painful to the ferret. It is important to use minimal restraint (usually scruffing or a circumvential head grip with support of hind legs so their legs can push against something) because stress and struggling can alter blood values. In difficult cases, isofluorane gas may be needed to temporarily sedate the ferret. Anesthesia does not alter blood readings. The blood testing should be done immediately, or blood should be "spun down" if there will be delay in laboratory testing. A normal blood-glucose level is above 90, and a ferret with insulinoma will show a reading of 20-28.
Treatment
Insulinoma is a progressive disease requiring constant monitoring and care, as well as adjustments in medications. Either surgery, medications, or both will extend the life of your ferret about 2 years. Unlike adrenal tumors, surgery is not always an option and will not necessarily provide a cure. This is because many tumors are very small and spread out over the pancreas. If there are obvious nodules, these can be removed surgically. Suspicious portions of the pancreas can also be removed in surgery, but incorrect pancreatic surgery can cause and inability to digest fat or even diabetes. If surgery is needed, the vet should also look for the commonly associated adrenal tumors while inside the ferret.
Nonsurgical medical treatment begins with frequent feeding of high-protein, high-fat, low-fiber diets. Totally Ferret is recommended by Dr. Moore for this. Meals should be especially taken after sleep and exercise. Because ferrets do not have a cecum (part of the intestine) they cannot digest fiber, so foods less than 3% fiber are best. Baby foods are excellent sources of protein, with lamb and rice being a good hypoallergenic, easy-to-digest choice. Turkey or chicken are also good. Make sure the baby food has no other additives or flavoring. Nonflavored yogurts and cooked eggwhites can also be used as a protein source. Foods high in sugar should be avoided, because they will cause a short energy burst followed by hypoglycemia 2 hours later, and further imbalance the blood sugars. Raisins, for example, are high in sugar and fiber and should be avoided. In addition, supplements are recommended, especially the addition of Brewer's yeast (1/8 to 1/4 tsp every 12 hours mixed with baby foods). The high levels of Chromium help to stabilize blood-sugar levels. Chromium drops are also available at a compounding pharmacy, such as Daniel Drug. Remember to use Brewer's Yeast and not baking yeast.
When frequent feedings and supplements no longer control the clinical signs of insulinoma, drug therapy must start. Prednisone (Pediapred) should be given at a starting dose of .25 to 1.0 mg/kg/day divided every 12 hours. As signs worsen, increase the dosage to 4.0 mg/kg/day every 12 hours. When this regimen no longer works, add diozoxide (Proglycem) 10 mg/kg/day every 12 hours, then decrease the Pedriapred dose to 2 mg/kg/day and gradually increase the diazoxide to 60/mg/kg/day as needed.
Summary
Insulinoma is a very common ferret disease which may be either genetic or dietary in origin. The disease is progressive, and treatment regimens must change over the remaining life of the ferret. A proper diet can help alleviate the symptoms, and surgery and medications could help prolong the life of your ferret.
The Rainbow Bridge....In Memory of PIPPIN
Deepest sympathies are extended to Sherry Salafia on the passing of Pippin. He will be sorely missed by his compatriots Tabitha and Houdini. Pippin will always be remembered for his second-place win in the 1996 Ferret Olympics in the costume contest (dressed as a pumpkin). Pippin's photo (below) featuring him as a pumpkin won a photo award in the City and Country Pets magazine.
AUGUST BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES
New Emergency Pager Number for the Ferrets First Rescue and Shelter: Patricia Curtis has a new pager number at metro 817-824-1868. Please discontinue the old pager number. Trish also reports that a number of new shelter entrants need sponsors to help support adrenal surgeries and medical care regimens.
Breeder Complaints: A number of complaints have been received about breeders in the area. One breeder is also a club member. The principle complaints are that they are being kept outside in very hot conditions in wire-floor cages and being fed inadequate diets. Trish Curtis, with the financial assistance of several club members, removed all ferrets from one breeder. The club-member breeder will be inspected again, and the third breeder has yet to be contacted.
New Web Site for the Ferret Olympics! You can access info on the upcoming Ferret Olympics, including entry forms, by going to www.flash.net/~txlotrpt
New Products Available! New products are being added to our inventory for the Ferret Olympics! New t-shirt designs will be available, with 4 different designs (about $17).
Ferret socks now come in two designs: last year's crew with woven ferrets all over, and a new short sock design that says "I love Ferrets" with the cuff turned down, and an embroidered ferret with the cuff turned up. Members pay $7.00 per pair, nonmembers pay $9 per pair for either sock style.
Ferret crossing signs are available, on a 12x12 safety-yellow diamond of high-quality aluminum, with a picture of a ferret and the lettering "Ferret Xing" on one side. These are $15 (members) or $19 (nonmembers) plus $3.50 s&h.
Ferret street signs are 4x18, white lettering on green, with the words Ferret Freeway on one side. Custom sign designs are also available with your own wording on other colors (blue, black, green, or brown) with a limit of 20 characters. Street signs are $19 (members) or $23 (nonmembers) plus $4 s&h. If custom work is desired, add $2.
The usual ferret calendars, greeting cards, dryer hoses, and handbooks will also be available at the show.
New Level "A" Shelter Application: Currently, only the Ferrets First Rescue and Shelter is registered as an A-level shelter with FLC-TX. Lori Goats, Director of the Ferret Haven Shelter in Pt. Neches, TX has also applied. Because she will be unable to attend the required number of meetings, we will be defining activity in a different manner. This shelter was provisionally granted level "A" status pending a September inspection and definition of activity.
Volunteers are still needed for the Ferret Olympics! Volunteers are needed to serve on the show committee (currently led by Linda Davis, with members Larry Fewell and Michael Runyon). We also need volunteers to help at the show (cage monitoring, health checks, timing events, taking admissions, running the club booth, announcing, etc.) Additionally, we would like your help in locating vendors, sponsors, raffle item donors, and other participants in the event.
Vet Bylaws Development: Veterinarian bylaws are being updated, and a committee is working on the veterinarian quiz to make sure vets are qualified to treat or give advice on ferrets.
FERRET OF THE MONTH COVER PHOTO
The Ferret of the Month Cover photo features a ferret practicing for the tube race in the upcoming Ferret Olympics. The featured ferret is Nirveli, who owns FLC-TX member Chris Snoberger.
Would you like your ferret to be featured as a cover photo? Or published in the new handbook? Send photographs to the editor (see page 2), and with a SASE, they will be returned. Be sure to identify the ferret, include any information, and mark the photo with your name and address.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
A big Welcome to new members for the month of AUGUST:
Dr. Sean Messonier, DVM Paws & Claws Animal Hospital
FLC-TX EDUCATIONAL/LEGALIZATION EFFORTS
Humane Society of Fort Worth
The Ferrets First Rescue and Shelter, along with Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas, was invited to make a presentation to the entire staff at the Humane Society in Fort Worth, TX. During the August 19 staff meeting, over 20 employees, managers, and volunteers learned more about ferrets, ferret capture and handling, and ferret care. Presenters included Trish Curtis, Director of the Ferrets First Rescue and Shelter, Erika Matulich, President of FLC-TX, and Michael Runyon, FLC-TX treasurer, information services coordinator, and pickup/rescue coordinator. Larry Fewell also assisted. We are working on Fort Worth Animal Control and the Humane Society to turn their ferrets over to the FFRS shelter for the 72-hour mandatory holding period instead of having ferrets held at the current facilities.
City of Garland Health Department
The City of Garland will be revising their entire animal control code, which was originally drafted in 1978 and is in need of updating. John Teel, assistant Director of the Garland Health Department, called upon FLC-TX to help educate Garland about ferrets and advise on the drafting of the ferret control policy. In a meeting with Mr. Teel on August 22, a number of ferret proposals were discussed. One proposal was to keep ferrets illegal in Garland, but this was shown to be an unappealing alternative. Instead, the goal is to propose to the City Council that ferrets are legalized, but with several controls. First, ferret households would have to be registered (a different procedure than licensing, which is used for cats and dogs). The fee per household would be $25 per year, and household inspections would take place. All ferrets are to be spayed or neutered before six months of age. Ferrets are required to be vaccinated against rabies, and the owner must be able to show proof of registration and vaccination on demand (even if out exercising the ferret). Ferrets are to be kept indoors, and if outdoors for brief periods of exercise, are to be on a leash along with identification. We are proposing that in bite/scratch cases, ferrets are quarantined at an approved facility instead of being euthanized and tested. Thanks to Debra Thomason, Erika Matulich, Michael Runyon (and his example ferrets), and Trish Curtis for attending the Garland meeting.
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