From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2000 11:09 PM To: FAIMLanon; FAIML Cc: faiml@miamiferret.org Subject: FAIML #394; Feb. 25, 2000 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #394; Feb. 25, 2000 1. Heart Murmur 2. Reply: Mary/Insulinoma 3. Ferret losing a partner 4. POST The FERRET ADRENAL/INSULINOMA MAILING LIST (FAIML) is a group that's come together to share support and information about adrenal and insulinoma diseases. FAIML comes out in digest format three to six times per week, depending on the number of posts sent, and their surgency. FAIML information is the opinion, only, of subscribers, mostly ferret caretakers. It is not medical advice, comes with no guarantee of accuracy, and is not meant to replace the examination and medical oversight of a qualified veterinarian. If your ferret is sick or exhibiting signs of illness take your fur kid to the most ferret- experienced vet you can find! A ferret- experienced vet is one of the most important services you can provide to your ferret. 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 email. 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 great 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. Heart Murmur From: WGHOL@aol.com Date sent: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 19:40:12 EST Thank you to everyone who responded about Buster's heart murmur. We went to a wonderful Vet, (thank you again Randy), who did not pick up the murmur. She felt that what the other Vet picked up was an arithmia, which can be common to these fuzzies. He's having blood work done now, and I expect the results soon. His cough seems to have subsided, so I think this may have been due more to an influenza then to cardiomyopathy (although I won't rule it out just yet) Nothing against the first Vet (who was filling in for my original vet), but it just goes to support the saying "Always get a second opinion!" Food for thought. thanks again, and Lynn, you are a true Angel for this list and your advice! Wendi Buddy & Buster (what me worry?!) 2. Reply: Mary/Insulinoma From: "Dan & Mary DeCoff" Date sent: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 05:03:16 -0500 Hi Everyone! I haven't posted in a very long time, but really want to reply to Mary Rogers. We have had several ferrets with insulinoma. Our first had surgery before Dr. Weiss advocated a partial pancreatectomy, so only had tumor removal. It made little difference, and he needed meds for the remainder of his life. He had his ups and downs, but stablized on DepoMedrol, because he could not tolerate Pred, and Proglycem. He lived 2+ years, the last 8 months were even better than earlier in his illness. His brother developed insulinoma just a few months before they died. We suspected a blockage, and had exploratory surgery, and had a partial pancreatectomy done. He was 7years 8months old. We elected for surgery due to the blockage,but found lymphoma. He recovered quite well from surgery, but died just over a month later, when his chest cavite filled up with fluid from the lymphoma. 7 1/2 is too old for surgery, right? Maybe not, depends on the over all condition. Noseyboy was miserable, and did have a huge lymph node blocking his bowel. If not for this, we would never have subjected him to surgery. If not for the lymphoma, I have no doubt he would be alive today. Taz also developed insulinoma last year. (No I do not want to repeat 1999!) Taz had a partial pancreatectimy last June. He is full of the devil, bullys the girls, and is taking on the aging alpha male. He is on no meds, but they all get duck soup several times a week, so we have all used to it. Good Luck, whatever you decide Mary D Sasha, Taz, Duncan, Paige, Vortex and Merry Heart 3. Ferret losing a partner From: "Susan S Saliga" Date sent: Tue, 29 Feb 2000 21:38:57 -0600 Hi there, I posted awhile ago about my ferret Crystal who was having a terrible time coping with the loss of her buddy Tiger. She is now back to her old self after moving her cage upstairs into the computer room. She has stopped throwing her stuff around, and the green poop "magically" disappeared. I guess she wanted to be away from all the other ferrets (she has always hated ferrets) and upstairs by mom and dad. She now eats in her cage and is sleeping peacefully next to me as I'm typing. I guess a little change can make a big difference. Kisses to all the "curtain climbers"! Susan Saliga 4. POST Date sent: Wed, 1 Mar 2000 12:54:19 EST From: XVDeathKnightVX@aol.com Dear all my favorite ferret lovers- Hi, everyone. It's Brian here, and I'm recovering from the loss of my Kato as well as can be expected. The big reason I'm writing is because I wanted to thank all of you so much for all of the Emails, the , and the condolences. You ALL have made me feel so much better, and you ALL have made me accept Kato's much better than I ever would have. It means so much to me that you all care so much. I am so glad to be part of this wonderful mailing list with all of these wonderful, wonderful people. I'll never forget all of this until the day I join Kato. Thanks again everyone. Sincerely, Brian ----------------------- End of FAIML #394 -------------------------