From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Saturday, June 03, 2000 11:05 PM To: FAIMLanon; FAIML Cc: faiml@uswest.net Subject: FAIML #430; June 3, 2000 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #430; June 3, 2000 1. update 2. Some answers to recent questions 3. Cappuccino will always be remembered 4. Rescue Remedy 5. Bad Breath 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. update Date sent: Sat, 3 Jun 2000 21:44:13 -0500 From: "Rich & Stacie Armstrong" I wanted to update everyone on our 4 year old Bandit, who we thought had successful right adrenal surgery last week. We posted a few days ago. Thanks again for all your responses. The news is not good, probably the worst prognosis - we were told that Bandit has lymphoma, and it's still unclear what exactly was removed along with the adrenal gland in her belly (if indeed that was what it was). We are heartbroken. The vet said the liver didn't look right and it's unfortunately not due to poor blood flow (the mass was so large it was blocking the vena cava). We still need to sit down with the vet for a consult, since the call with the biopsy results was from a different vet. We'll do that next week, so there's still many questions to ask and options we know only a little about right now. My guess is that chemotherapy would not extend her life to make it worthwhile, both emotionally and financially for us, and physically for Bandit. That's just my guess. We are interested in knowing more about ways to make her comfortable in what I'm assuming will be her final months with us. We don't want her to be uncomfortable or in pain. Would it be humane to treat her pain or discomfort, all the while knowing that her body will eventually break down? When that finally does happen, it will be terrible, but I just want to make sure she's comfortable and happy in the meantime. I know this is morbid, but we're curious how "hospice" would be for her. Of course, we'll discuss this with our vet, but I'd like to hear it from the side of experienced ferret owners too. thanks. 2. Some answers to recent questions Date sent: Wed, 31 May 2000 21:39:16 EDT From: AFERRETVET@cs.com 1). Mike you are right the correct units for blood glucose is mg/dl (not ng/dl). It was probably an error that did not get caught before printing of her article in Ferrets magazine. 2)M.Jo and Melissa :You both had questions about adrenal signs after surgery and options for treating them. The remaining portion of the adrenal gland will indeed "regrow" into an adrenal gland rather quickly (even if only 1/4 or less of the gland remains). If only the capsule of the adrenal gland (with a few adrenal cells) remains after the surgery, it will "regrow" into an adrenal gland in a matter of weeks. It may take a couple of months to 1-2 years before the signs of adrenal gland disease return. Of course If enough of the gland remains the signs may not improve after the surgery. Either way the medical options are to try Lupron depot, [or a combination of Lupron with Propecia or Casodex (in males with prostate enlargement) or with Arimidex (in females with anemia)] or to try melatonin (tablets or implants). 3) Stacie The adrenal gland that you describe is not typical, but it does happen sometimes. My biggest adrenal tumor was roughly 5 inches long and bigger than my fist. If all of the adrenal gland was removed then you do have great news. If some of the gland was "into the vena cava" then part of the vena cava wall can be removed or the surgeon at the U of Florida vet school can remove a whole section of the vena cava to get the remaining portion of the tumor out. Otherwise the adrenal gland may regrow with time and the signs may return. Jerry Murray, DVM 3. Cappuccino will always be remembered Date sent: Wed, 31 May 2000 18:08:24 -0400 From: "Julianna Carlson" Hi. Thanks for your help and consideration along with suggestions. But I am sorry to say that cappuccino Has passed away. he passed away in his sleep between may 30th and may 31st. -Julie Thanks So much for your Support!!!! It helped so much and kept me going. 4. Rescue Remedy Date sent: Tue, 30 May 2000 23:12:11 -0400 From: "The Ferret Aid Society" I've used Rescue Remedy at the shelter for years. I give it to all new ferrets coming in and to all ferrets leaving the shelter to their new homes. I've had so much success with it, I just don't know where to begin. I was 1st introduced to it about 4 years ago while I was fostering a couple of baby raccoons. They had just witnessed their mother killed and nothing we did would stop their crying and screaming. I've always used natural remedies so I went to the local health store and was given the Rescue Remedy. FIFTEEN minutes after the babies got the remedy, their crying stopped and they welcomed our affection and cuddles. I was sold right then. I've had people call me after moving to a new house and tell me their once 100% litter trained ferret is now "pooping" all over the new house. I always recommend Rescue Remedy 1st. So far, we've had 100% success. I put 10 drops in the water bottle and 1 drop ON the ear for very stressful situations. Good luck with your move and if I can help in any way, let me know ;o) Hugz, Randy The Ferret Aid Society Ferrets 2000 Conference http://www.ferretaid.org http://www.igive.com/html/ssi.cfm?cid=1383&mid=43897 Use your mouse to raise funds for the shelter at no cost to you! Click here!! 5. Bad Breath Date sent: Wed, 31 May 2000 10:32:09 EDT From: Outlaw50@aol.com In a message dated 5/30/00 9:57:23 PM Central Daylight Time, faiml@uswest.net writes: << Bandit's still eating duck soup and won't touch his kibble >> After posting recently about how great Bob C's chicken gravy is for ferrets with insulinoma, I realized that I didn't mention all its other benefits. The chicken gravy is excellent for getting a ferret off of duck soup and back to eating his regular kibble. I have two ferrets that had not eaten kibble for approximately one year that started eating it again after only a couple weeks on the gravy. Also, the chicken gravy can, and should, be fed a few times a week to ALL ferrets. It's very, very healthy for them. It's helps reduce itchy skin dramatically, increases energy levels and makes their coats much healthier. A diet of only duck soup is, obviously, not good for a ferret's teeth. Neither is kibble for that matter. Their teeth can and should be cleaned regularly. If you don't want to purchase a teeth cleaning kit (they sell them for cats), a little gauze wrapped around your finger can help. If the tartar is very bad, your vet will need to scrape the teeth. My vet is able to clean my kids' teeth by scruffing them and does not have to put the ferrets "out" to do it. Bad breath can also be caused by stomach problems and other illnesses. It would be a good idea to let your vet know about the bad breath so he/she can check for intestinal problems. Judy ----------------------- End of FAIML #430 -------------------------