From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 1999 5:29 PM To: FAIMLanon; FAIML Subject: FAIML #310; July 1, 1999 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #310; July 1, 1999 1. Isis (surgery) 2. Gadzook - Surgery 3. Sugery Prep and Recovery 4. various (please post) 5. To spin or not to spin? 6. Lupron confusion 7. Introduction TO POST: Write POST at the end of your subject heading (the more specific you can be in your subject heading, the better) and send to . URGENT POSTS: If you feel the message is urgent please mark it POST URGENT and I'll send it out to subscribers as soon as I can, then include the message in the next list. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: Please write POST ANONYMOUS after your subject heading if you don't want your address or last name published. SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE: Just use the one address for posts, subscription questions, requests, cancellations, comments, etc. The list is run by hand so just send me an e-mail. ADRENAL/INSULINOMA WEBSITE: FAIML ARCHIVES/PHOTOS: Past FAIMLs are being archived, with a search feature, on Michael Janke's adrenal/insulinoma web site: . Michael is also kindly posting pictures of FAIML subscribers and the ferrets at this site in the FAIML Album. Check out his site for more info. PAM GREENE's FERRET FAQs: I suggest people read (and reread) Pamela Greene's Disease FAQ's on Insulin and Adrenal diseases, as they offer a good background. I forward them to all new subscribers, and will gladly send them upon request. I also send the "Disease Package", a file that tells how to get all six of Pamela Greene's FAQs on ferret diseases. Pam also has excellent FAQ's about general ferret care as well, and a link to these may be found on the FERRET CENTRAL web site: . THE FERRET MAILING LIST (FML): The FML has 3,000+ ferret-loving subscribers and the topic is simply ferrets, ferrets, and more ferrets. Moderated by Mr. Bill Gruber, it's a good source of ferret entertainment and information. Visit FERRET CENTRAL on the web (see paragraph above) for more info on the FML. To subscribe to the FML, send email to its moderator, Bill Gruber, at and ask to be added. You can also try subscribing automatically by sending email to with the command SUBSCRIBE FERRET in the body of the email. 1. Subject: Isis (surgery) From: trspero@uss.net Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 19:56:21 -0500 Hi guys, I wrote about my ablino female ferret Isis last fall or so. It seemed that she was okay and I didn't have to worry about adrenal problems. It seems that we do have to worry. July 8th, Isis goes in for surgery. She is very healthy in every other way other than that she is mostly bald except for her feet, legs and head. All should go well, but I thought I would post and ask everyone for prayers and support. By the way... is there any post-op home prep I should be doing. I have no idea. Thanks, Tammy and Jumper, Clumsy, Sebastian, Max and the bald little Isis. 2. Subject: Gadzook - Surgery From: Lynn McIntosh Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 21:56:21 -0500 Hi there. Gadzook continues to have decreased urinary flow so is scheduled for surgery tomorrow, Thursday. He is our first ferret and a very feisty, fun-loving silver mitt. We love him dearly. So, please, if you would, send a prayer, hope, or good thought along for our sweet Gadzook. Thank you all very much, Lynn McIntosh 3. Subject: Sugery Prep and Recovery From: KTrythall@aol.com Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 08:52:32 EDT My four year old dark sable Teddy is going to have exploratory surgery on Monday. After weeks and months of observation and blood tests, the vet and I have decided that this is the best course of action. I believe that it's going to show up adrenal problems. Had a gut feeling with the aggressiveness from the beginning. But I have a wonderful vet and he wanted to make sure that this wasn't seasonal and perform an unnecessary surgery. So my questions are: 1. What can I do to prep Teddy for the surgery? (He is on amoxi drops until monday and eating Totally Ferret.) 2. What follow up care is recommended for an adrenal surgery these days? (He has already had one adrenal gland removed last year.) Thanks in advance- Kelly Cece, Teddy, Sidney, Jack, Angel and Sasha (always in our hearts) 4. Subject: various (please post) From: "Karen Purcell, DVM" Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 22:10:47 +0000 Glenn, > My insulinomic Chuki had a BS test yesterday. A home type machine > accutech) at the vet's office showed 93mg/dl. Some ten minutes > later same blood) her in house blood machine showed 82.5mg/dl. The > vet suggests that the first reading may actually be more accurate > because it used the blood "as is" before being spun down. Dr. Karen, > or anyone who may be knowledgeable of glucose testing? > Actually, your vet nailed it. The longer blood sits, the lower the glucose level, as the cells 'eat' whatever glucose is available in the serum. Of course, the home glucometer machines have also been known to be 'off' by as much as 30 mg/dl, so there is that possiblity as well. That's why I do serial checks before definitively diagnosing insulinoma. Sammy and family, > I think i might go ahead and get the surgery done on Sammy if he > continues the way he has been. He is older though, and i want to > talk to a vet that does these surgeries. mine doesn't. I remember > a friend of mine telling me about the vet she went to with her > ferret, but i can't remeber her name. Anyone in the SW florida area > (I live in Port Charlotte to be exact, if anyone knows wehre that > is! :) that knows a vet that is experienced in adrenal surgeries? > Dr Kemmerer is in Florida, and probably knows every ferret vet in the state. You can reach her at >SNIP> -Dr. Karen drkaren@world.std.com currently practicing in Cumberland, RI 5. Subject: To spin or not to spin? From: batzwing@webtv.net (june batz) Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 05:20:06 -0700 (PDT) That is my question ? (Dr. Karen) I too would like to know which is a more accurate reading for blood sugar levels. I think, as mentioned in the post about this, a 10 point difference is a wide enough margin to question which method is tried and true. And how accurate are those "In house" blood glucose monitors.? shouId I have my vet read it before and after spinning it down? Thanks June and Phoebe 6. Subject: Lupron confusion From: EquineAmy@aol.com Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 11:17:12 EDT Hi everyone. I was wondering if anyone can help me. My little Connor was just put on Lupron. He had his first injection on June 29th and is scheduled for two more at 30 day intervals. I have been reading how people have had their ferrets on Lupron for over 10 months. I am getting really really confused. The vet that Connor is going to has connor involved in a study on Lupron. He told me though that they are afraid to keep the ferrets on it for more than 6 months max because they are afraid of bone marrow damage or something of that sort (not sure exactly). He said they have been doing two doses, but feel they need to increase to three. Does anybody know anything about this. I really want to learn as much about what I am subjecting my poor baby to. I only want to do what is best for him, and they didn't feel surgury was it. It is a right gland, but there is question as to whether he may be developing a heart problem, so we opted for Lupron. It has only been a little over a week now, but I think I am actually seeing hair regrowth too. I do'nt want to be too optimistic, but he has a bald spot on the middle of his back and the entire underneath of his tail. Last night I felt the bottom of his tail and when you rub it backwards you can feel stubble.....that is a good thing isn't it? If anyone has any suggestions or advise for me, please send it my way. I am very interested in learning more - please help me and Connor if you can. Thank you soooo much for your help. Amy, Winnie, Chloe, & Connor 7. Subject: Introduction From: Kathouze@aol.com Date: Wed, 7 Jul 1999 03:24:43 EDT I've been reading the list for a while and learning. Thankfully,have not needed to post yet as Jasmine, my 5 year old lady with adrenal disease, is doing rather well. Her operation was last October and her left adrenal was taken out and was benign. She has an enlarged spleen, but we're keeping an eye on that. The vet says her spleen is shaped funny, but otherwise healthy looking. She has arthritis starting in her hips, so I guess she's doing great to keep up with the youngsters. She even wrestles now and then. I'm just hoping this will last. Guess I should introduce the other fur brats also.There's Taz,the only male now,and a committed play hard kinda guy.Honey,a rescue from Ca,who's only goal in life is to collect every stuffed animal in existence,and Sugar Bear,who is committed to cleaning every ear and nibbling every toe.That's my business,and for now all are healthy.Hope all the sick fuzzies get better and all the lost find their way home. Sandy, Jasmine, Taz, Honey and Sugar -------------------- End of FAIML #310 ---------------------