From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2000 12:44 AM To: FAIMLanon; FAIML Cc: faiml@uswest.net Subject: FAIML #426; May , 2000 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #426; May , 2000 Hi. Just popping in to say that the last FAIML should have been numbered #425, so am making this one #426. Lynn 1. cappuccino 2. question regarding adrenal, insulinoma 3. Biopsy on Jack's Pancreas 4. New poster, adrenal ferret (long post) 5. Update on Nipper and UTI 6. swollen vulva 7. Re: Pred Belly - (and insulinoma) 8. Condolences 9. Condolences 10. Thanks 11. Thanks 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. cappuccino Date sent: Wed, 24 May 2000 14:23:44 -0400 From: "Julianna Carlson" Hi, I have posted various notes about my ferret Cappuccino and his sickness. Now I need some help or suggestions. We brought him to the vet today, 5/23/00, and he got an x-ray or something like that. He had black and blues on him stomach so that was the reason to bring him. When he got the x-ray the vet found that he adrenal tumor was still there, and it was pushing his organs upward and to the sides. we were given medicine to give him but I don't know if it is proper for him because the vet isn't that experienced with ferrets. the medicine is Metronidazole and amoxicillin suspension. The vet said that the black and blues on his stomach were from a shortage of iron or something like that in his blood stream, so the blood doesn't clot often and was causing the black and blues. I live on Long Island, New York in Plainview close to farmingdale and Hicksville. My Stepfather already said that surgery was out of the question because of the expense. So we are leaning toward putting Cappuccino to sleep. Please help if you can give suggestions. With Love, Julie, Noone, Cappuccino 2. question regarding adrenal, insulinoma Date sent: Tue, 23 May 2000 21:10:50 -0400 From: cinnamonpepper@worldnet.att.net Hi all, I am sending this to both FML and FAIML in hopes of getting some guidance. My 5 year old MF spayed female had an ultrasound today. She had the classic hair loss on the base of the tail so the vet and I assumed adrenal. The results of the ultrasound show a 4 cm growth on the right adrenal and a 6 cm growth in the pancreas. Of course there is no way of knowing at this point what the growth is in the pancreas. She hasn't shown any signs of low glucose. Actually she hasn't had any symptoms other than the hair loss. She has been eating, drinking etc as per usual. My vet recommended surgery, but here is the catch, he hasn't done a right adrenal before. He is an experienced vet but doesn't see that many ferrets in his practice. However, he is knowlegable in regard to general care of the ferret and he has been more than receptive to any material I bring him on medical care, either from the mailing lists or magazines I get. I basically trust his abilities and there aren't any other vets that I know of in Lexington Ky that would know more than he does. I know there are others out there who have had fuzzies with this same findings. What did you do? What was the outcome? As mentioned before, Jill is otherwise healthy with no symptoms so I guess she is in the best shape she could be for surgery. Any words of wisdom and hope would be appreciated. She is scheduled for surgery to remove the adrenal gland and also the growth in the pancreas. I only pray that that one is a cyst or something. I also have a 3 year old female who started exhibiting "speedbumping", lethargy and was hard to awaken last Friday night, a visit to the vet Sat morn revealed no infection but blood glucose was 64. The vet put her gave a shot of cortizone (I think) to stimulate her appetite as she wasn't eating and prescribed Pred 1.25 mg starting Sunday, once a day. I provided also a mix of water with Timmy's in her cage. Today her glucose was 92. The vet said to give her the pred for 5 more days, then every other day for 5 then we will see what happens when she is off the pred. Sound like a good plan? Since Sunday she has been acting and eating like her normal lively self. On a more positive note, another fuzzie, 5 years old, left adrenal removed in 7/98, had recurrance of significant hair loss last fall. She is a poor surgical risk because of other things. Gave her the 4 month shot of Lupron in 10/99 with no visible response, 2nd shot in 2/00 and she almost immediately started getting her hair back. She is back to normal on her hair and her energy level is much better. Sorry so long, I am really really worried about my Jillian, say a prayer for her and if any one has any advice or words of encouragement please e-mail me. The fellow ferret fans on these lists are great. Thanks in advance. Ann and her terrific 5 (Cinnamon, Jillian, Sabrina, Wriggley and Zoey) 3. Biopsy on Jack's Pancreas Date sent: Mon, 22 May 2000 20:01:04 -0400 (EDT) From: "Jennifer Hudson" The biopsy came in today and Jack does not have insulinoma. To make a long story as short as possible - Jack's pancreas is in a precancerous state. There is cell activity and mutation indicative of cancer. The pathologist said this type of cancer sloughs off the site of origin (pancreas) and will travel by the bloodstream to the lymph nodes and bone marrow. There is nothing we can really do to prevent this from happening. Nor do we have any clue when this will turn grim. He is staying on pred hoping that this will reduce the activity in the pancreas and prolong his life. For today, he is happy and I have placed him in the cage with Mira, the 6 year old that arrived with Cupcake, the little albino we lost. He is much peppier now that he has a cagemate and someone to snuggle with. We will start routine glucose testing on Jack to monitor the pancreas' activity. Just wanted to update everyone and relate our findings with the odd appearance of his pancreas just for everyone information. Hugs to all, Jen and Gang ........................................................ iWon.com http://www.iwon.com why wouldn't you? ........................................................ 4. New poster, adrenal ferret (long post) Date sent: Wed, 24 May 2000 08:23:50 -0400 From: "Scott Driver" Hi, everyone. This is my first day on the list... I'm older brother to two Marshall Farms ferrets, a 1.5 yr old, 3 lb silver-mitt-turning-dark-eyed-white named Rorty, who was purchased at a pet store before I knew shelters existed, and Sabrina, a 2.5 yr old, 1.5 lb dark sable adoptee from a nearby shelter. They're both happy, affectionate, and spoiled stupid, and I don't know how we ever got by without them. Sabrina had a fairly rough life before we found her, hard time finding a loving home and so on, which makes her recent problems all the more frustrating. A few months ago she got vulvar swelling with purulent discharge, and non-seasonal hair loss in the "textbook" areas. After a brief stint on Clavamax to rule out vaginitis, we did exploratory and took the left adrenal, which looked abnormal although we didn't get a biopsy (probably a mistake... we still have the gland although I doubt it has clinical integrity at this point). She healed like gangbusters from the surgery, and looked like she was making a comeback... however, her vulvar swelling never went down, the discharge has started again, her tummy is still bald from the incision shave, and her tail is pretty ragged. Her hair is also thin over the hips. From this, I'm pretty sure she's bilateral; in addition, she's had slight discomfort and a bit of rectal bleeding and swelling post-poop lately, which goes away quickly... this particularly worries me, as I don't think it's "textbook." I think she's had enough time to recover from the left adrenal going south, which is why I'm assuming the right is following it. She doesn't know she's sick, and she didn't last time (we caught the abnormality very early). She's still doofy and bouncy and bonded very tightly with my wife and myself; she is very "kissy," but she's always been that way, so I don't know that it's indicative in and of itself. The local vet is wonderful, but isn't a ferret specialist; he's kind of climbing the learning curve at the same time we are, and has many more constraints on his time. The nearest ferret specialists, including the fellow who performed her left surgery, are at least an hour and a half away, and it's difficult for me to get to them often, as if I'm going to be able to pay for more surgery and keep an emergency reserve for my other buddy, I can't take off lots of work; thus, I don't get specialized veterinary input as often as I'd like. This is also my first time going through this, and frankly I'm terrified. Anyone who's been in the same boat, i.e. has or has had a wonderful ferret who's lost one adrenal and shown no signs of recovery, please contact me at my e-mail address with any input/advice you can give me. I would appreciate it more than you know, as I'm completely petrified by the thought of losing my little sister, and I want to be as informed as possible medically and anecdotally. Sorry for the long post and I look forward to hearing from anyone. Scott Driver Brother to Rorty and Sabrina 5. Update on Nipper and UTI Date sent: Mon, 22 May 2000 11:55:45 -0400 From: "Morgan, Annie" Thanks to all who responded about Nipper's bloating. I picked him up last Wed. and my vet had done x-rays and drained his belly. He got a cup of fluid from his abdomen and there was some blood in it. He sent some off for lab work and the x-rays didn't show anything, but he sent those also. He has Nipper on his mix of antibiotics and lasix for the water retention. So far, Nipper is doing great. He has to feel a million times better! I take him back this Wed. for a check up and to see if any results came back! His urine is yellow again :) You know, I never thought I could be soooo happy about pee and poop as I have been with his UTI and ECE! I wish everyone well in their trials with their sick ones. Thanks Again, Annie Morgan, Nipper and Opie 6. swollen vulva Date sent: Mon, 22 May 2000 18:36:49 -0400 (EDT) From: "love ferrets" Misty has a swallen vulva every so often. It's enlarged and then goes back down. She's 4 years old and was detected last year with adrenal disease. Just went to vet's past week and asked that question. The vet was not that familiar with ferrets to give an answer. Last year the vet had no idea how to treat Misty No one in my direct area knows about ferrets. I could use some advice to know when I should be most concerned about her condition. Thanks for any help! 7. Re: Pred Belly - (and insulinoma) Date sent: Tue, 23 May 2000 16:49:00 EDT From: Outlaw50@aol.com << 6. Pred belly From: "Thomas Osburn" Date sent: Thu, 18 May 2000 15:40:34 -0400 Is there anything that can be done for pred belly?. My Missy is so bloated and looks extremely uncomfortable. Her pred level is .3 two times a day along with proglycem. Does anyone know what makes her swell like this? Thanks so much! Mary >> Mary, I'm sorry I didn't see your post sooner. :( I had the same problem with Shania...she had a terrible pred belly, as well as dry fur and itchy skin from the pred. I started her on Bob C's chicken gravy twice a day and was actually able to wean her off the pred within a few months. Other ferrets that I know of have not been weaned completely off pred like Shania has, but they've been able to have their dosage reduced to .1 cc's per day. Less pred, less pred belly. Shania had surgery for insulinoma in July of 1998 and the tumors removed were malignant. My vet didn't think Shania would live a year as none of her pancreas was removed. Instead, due to the chicken gravy, Shania has been off pred now for well over a year and is still doing fine. I can't say enough about the gravy...and I even leave the honey and Nutrical in the recipe. The sugar in them does NOT harm insulinomic ferrets because of the "balance" of all the ingredients. It truly is wonderful for insulinomic ferrets. I just wish I could make more people realize just how much good it can do for our fur kids that suffer from insulinoma. Judy 8. Condolences Date sent: Mon, 22 May 2000 16:57:58 -0400 (EDT) From: "sharon wagner" My heart and prayers are with you. It is very painful but it seems ferrets seem to have some kind of problem from 4 years on. I love my babies very much but it seems for some unknow reason they pass on anywhere from four years on with either insuloma or something. I sure hope they find out what causes these little babies to start getting life threatening illnesses from the age of 4 on up. i love ferrets but it is so painful when these little animals start regressing so young. My heart is with you. 9. Condolences Date sent: Mon, 22 May 2000 16:53:35 -0400 (EDT) From: "sharon wagner" I want you to know my heart is with you. I am going through the same thing right now but just remember he is in peace now, even though we sometimes are selfish with our emotions. I take one day at a time now for three weeks and every time I walk in the door i think i am going to find cutie asleep. until he appears to be suffering from pain i put it in Gods hands. He had major surgery in September but still has a tumor that can't be removed but I refuse to but him or myself through it again. When god is ready for him he will go. once again, i know what you are going through i went through it last april to have one put to sleep and it was horrible but i knew he would not suffer any longer. Sometimes he put our selfish emotions before the reality of what is good for them. 10. Thanks Date sent: Mon, 22 May 2000 22:19:48 -0500 From: "Lora Smith" Hi everyone, I just wanted to say thanks for all your wonderful kind words and cards. You are such a special group. I guess our special little ones help us have a close bond. I wish you all the best and your babies too. My father sends a big thanks also. Hang in there all you with sick ones, God put them where he knew they would be helped the most. With love, Lora 11. Thanks Date sent: Mon, 22 May 2000 13:57:02 -0500 From: "Mike Witsken" Hello to everyone...many of you will remember me from the past few months of my dealing with Shelby's illness and passing....I just wanted to share with the latest families of Toya and Scooter to say how sorry I am about your losses...Believe me I understand the grief, as it has only been two or three weeks since I lost Shelby. For some of those who have been following my situation I wanted to let you know I did recover from the deep greif fairly quickly, and yesterday I was just in the right mood to treat myself to a birthday present, so I went to purchase another ferret and ended up with two! (My first time to have two together), both 8 week old girls. I still have not named them, I am still researching what others have named theirs. (I have this thing about getting just the right name for the personality)...Anyway, thanks to all! ----------------------- End of FAIML #426 -------------------------