From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Sunday, May 07, 2000 12:22 AM To: FAIMLanon; FAIML Cc: faiml@miamiferret.org Subject: FAIML #419; May 6, 2000 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #419; May 6, 2000 Hi. Well I thought I'd get one more list out before I leave, especially so that you all could read Mike's moving message about losing Shelby, who I hope is at the Rainbow Bridge with our wonderful Tarzan and others we've loved. I have not yet had to decide a time for one to cross, though I have hung on too long. My heart goes out to anyone facing this, or mourning it. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Mike, and with Shelby. I'll "see" you all on May 11th, or thereabouts. For any who just subscribed, I'll be gone until May 11th, so there won't be a list until then. See below, though, for info on how to subscribe and post to the wonderful, daily, FML, with 3,000+ ferret-loving subscribers. I'll be thinking of you all! Lynn 1. Goodbye from Shelby 2. Nikita 3. DRY SKIN 4. pred causing aggressiveness 5. duck soup, chicken gravy 6. surgery vs. lysodren 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. Goodbye from Shelby From: Date sent: Sat, 6 May 2000 20:28:33 -0500 I just wanted to thank everyone for all the helpful info and support during these last few months. We had to say goodbye to Shelby this past Tuesday. Her quality of life had diminished to the point that I knew she was ready this time, and luckily you all have been kind and truly helped me through this. Naturally I sobbed uncontrollably for awhile, but I have quickly replaced my own selfish sadness with the joy of the wonderful years we spent together. There are those who scoff, but I know many pet owners will support me when I say that I know how much she loved me and we truly had a psychic bond, particularly of late. Her spirit will remain with me forever. Thanks all, Mike 2. Nikita From: "Leslie Robinette" Date sent: Sat, 6 May 2000 23:44:55 -0400 (EDT) I'm the proud owner of an albino ferret. Her name is Nikita and I've had her since 1994. She's about 7 years old. Nikita has always been healthy until about 3 months ago. Her vet did blood work and took x-rays. She was anemic and had an enlarged spleen. A month later she had her spleen removed. The vet sent it out to be checked and it came back with nothing to worry about. Then about a month after that she was feeling ill again. We discovered that she has Insulinoma The fur on her belly is growing back an orange color. Her vet said that's a sign of Adrenal Disease. She's shedding worst this year than she ever has before.Does anyone know if that's another way they lose there fur with this disease? He has her on corizone which helps. I haven't found her in a bad state since. I'm concerned about her losing her fur though. She's my baby and I'll do whatever necessary to help her. Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. Leslie & Nikita 3. DRY SKIN From: "sharon wagner" Date sent: Sat, 6 May 2000 16:18:31 -0400 (EDT) I have a ferret who is constantly scratching and hair coming back after major surgery and then he chocks on the hair. I do give him hairball treatment, and I tried the oatmeal bath once a week but in the middle of week it seems he starts. I even tried using bitter apple where he licks his fur but not too crazy about using that. Does anyone have any other suggestions or know if baby oil would hurt him. Thank you kindly. 4. pred causing aggressiveness From: "Michael F. Janke" Date sent: Sat, 6 May 2000 23:12:02 -0400 > 4. update on Jonesy > From: "Sue Stout" > Date sent: Sat, 29 Apr 2000 20:19:06 -0500 > > down to that! Jonesy has also been aggressively dragging one of > my little girls > around by the head, neck, ear, etc while trying to mount her. > (He was neutered > long, long ago). Vet says this could possibly be from the > prednisolone. Anyone > have any experience with this type of behavior while on > prednisone? I've never heard of pred causing aggressive behavior in a ferret. Sounds more like a symptom of an adrenal problem. For the ferrets, Mike * Michael F. Janke, mjanke@miamiferret.org * Secretary, South Florida Ferret Club & Rescue * A 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation * * Shelter web site: http://www.miamiferret.org * Adrenal/Insulinoma web site: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc 5. duck soup, chicken gravy From: "Michael F. Janke" Date sent: Sat, 6 May 2000 23:12:04 -0400 > 5. Duck Soup/Chicken Gravy Question? > From: JHerge9760@aol.com > Date sent: Wed, 3 May 2000 16:57:27 EDT > > I am confused. I am very thankful for all the advice but I have > heard different > things and don't know the difference or which one to use. > Chicken gravy or > duck soup what is the difference and which one should I use. Duck soup has become a rather generic term for just about any concoction making up a soft diet to feed a special needs ferret. There are many, many variations. Some good, some not so good. Bob C.'s chicken gravy, on the other hand, is a fairly specific blend of ingredients and many have reported excellent results with its usage. It's largely made with whole chicken (bones and all) and an assortment of other ingredients. You can find quite a few "duck soup" recipes AND Bob C.'s chicken gravy recipe on my adrenal/insulinoma website on the duck soup page. I must have missed your original post but if she's eating her regular food ok, I don't see why you would need to feed her duck soup every three to four hours. For the ferrets, Mike * Michael F. Janke, mjanke@miamiferret.org * Secretary, South Florida Ferret Club & Rescue * A 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation * * Shelter web site: http://www.miamiferret.org * Adrenal/Insulinoma web site: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc 6. surgery vs. lysodren From: "Michael F. Janke" Date sent: Sat, 6 May 2000 23:11:58 -0400 > 1. Buttercup: third surgery? > From: "Clare Sebok" > Date sent: Sat, 29 Apr 2000 00:06:45 -0400 (EDT) > Now we are trying to decide whether or not a third surgery is in her best > interest. This is only my personal opinion, but I wouldn't waste my time with Lysodren. I know a few have had a reasonable amount of success with it, but I'd say many more have had bad reactions to it. A few years ago, I tried it and had two ferrets get very ill on Lysodren. Additionally, you might want to read Dr. Murray's comments on Lupron vs. Lysodren on my adrenal/insulinoma website. The article was extracted from a post Dr. Murray placed in the FAIML. I don't see how it could be considered inhumane to have surgery and improve Buttercup's quality of life, though I might be more inclined to use Lupron with a six-year old ferret. For the ferrets, Mike * Michael F. Janke, mjanke@miamiferret.org * Secretary, South Florida Ferret Club & Rescue * A 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation * * Shelter web site: http://www.miamiferret.org * Adrenal/Insulinoma web site: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc ----------------------- End of FAIML #419 -------------------------