From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2000 10:35 PM To: FAIMLanon; FAIML Subject: (Fwd) FAIML #454; August 17, 2000 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #454; August 17, 2000 There are three messages in today's list: Moxy is in the hospital! Rascal Going off line...and a lonely boy FERRET ADRENAL/INSULINOMA MAILING LIST (FAIML) is a list featuring support and information about adrenal and insulinoma diseases. It comes out in digest format three to six times per week, depending on the urgency and number of posts. It is the opinion, only, of subscribers, and is not intended as 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 exhibiting signs of illness please take him or her to the most ferret-experienced vet you can. A ferret-experienced vet is one of the most important services you can provide for your ferret. 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FERRET CENTRAL WEBSITE and PAM GREENE's FERRET FAQs: Ferret Central Website is the grand intersection of ferret websites, at . You can also find the Ferret FAQs there, which include invaluable FAQs on insulinoma and adrenal diseases. I forward these two FAQs 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. 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. Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 04:12:57 -0400 From: "Sally St. Germain" Moxy is in the hospital! Hi everyone. I have posted this message to the FML as well. I think we need all of the advice we can get right now! On Sun. she had a funny breathing spell, like she was having a lot of trouble catching her breath. It sounded similar to an asthma attack. As soon as I picked her up and cuddled her she calmed down and seemed to breathe easier. She was fine for the rest of the day. I came home from work early on Mon. because I am enrolled in 2 more computer classes and one is Mon from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.I wanted to get home for a quick supper before I went back. Wayne was out at the BBQ and she had another spell. Same as the one Mon only maybe a little more severe. I picked her up again and while I was trying to calm her down Wayne came in. He said she had a similar spell that afternoon and he thought she was going to die. He was able to pick her up and calm her down as well. I called the vet and tried my best describe what was going on. Dr. Cathy thought she may be reacting to the septra she was on and told me to stop it and watch her closely. She did it again on Tues around 3 p.m. I was just waking up (remember I work nights) I heard her all the way from the bedroom, through a closed door. I never hear the phone through a closed door! I went tearing out there and picked her up. It took more effort to calm her but I did get her calmed. I called Dr. Cathy's office and they told me to bring her down and leave her over night. Dr. Cathy was out on a house call but they would keep Moxy comfortable and Dr. Cathy would see her as soon as she came back. So away we go and get there just before the office closed. When we got home there was a message from Cathy. She had seen Moxy and was concerned about her breathing and felt there was something going on in her lungs. She has lost more hair, on her back and feet and she feels there has been no change in her vuvla. She is almost certain that the lupron is not working any more.She wanted to do x-rays this morning. Of course I don't sleep much and when I do I'm having nightmares. When I woke up, I called the office and all they would tell me is that one xray showed that her heart is enlarged and she wants to put her on some new medication and keep her another night. They said they were trying to read a second xray. She moved and they had to take another one. They said she is still very strong That really means she gave them a hard time while they were taking her picture. They called me back a few minutes later and told me that the new medication was being compounded at the pharmacy and wouldn't be available until Fri. so now I have an appointment to pick her up on Fri at noon and Dr. Cathy will take time to explain what all this means then. Until then I am worried sick! I know I have had two years of quality time with her since her diagnosis in Sept of 98, but I don't think I could bear losing her so soon after Baby. Baby crossed the Bridge on Aug. 4. after a very short battle with cardiomyopathy. She was 7 years old. Any prayers and good thoughts for my "Old Gal" would be appreciated. She is 8 years old. I would also appreciate hearing about anyone who has been through this and any advice or ideas you may have. My vet is always very open to suggestions. I must go. I am hoping to get up early and go down and see Moxy. I won't be able to bring her home and I may not even get to talk to Cathy until Fri, but at least I can cuddle her for a little while and let her know she is loved and that she hasn't been abandoned. Sally St. Germain and her 11 "Little Saints." Hi....my name is Sally....I am a ferret-a-holic!!!! Date: Mon, 14 Aug 2000 07:07:49 EDT From: Bugsy39@aol.com Rascal hi there, its me again, Diane, when i wrote last night about rascals problem with dribbling, when i got up this morning i found he had a very unsteady gait and almost seemed to be dragging his hind legs, could these things be something together such as a tumor located on his prostate and if so, would it affect his walking? he hasnt fallen or anything, and when i tickle his feet he moves them. thanks again for any help in this matter. diane Datea: Wed, 16 Aug 2000 12:48:32 -0100 From: "Leslie Sturla" Going off line...and a lonely boy Hi Lynne & everyone. I wanted to thank you for the information & support over the duration of Samhain's illness. After a year with insulinoma, I decided to ease Sam "over the bridge." Too old for surgery & at the limit of his med dosage, it was difficult to predict or prevent his ever more frequent seizures. He went peacefully, conscious of the fact that I was with him & he was loved. It's funny how quickly these creatures touch our lives. When I was able to, I emailed my friends, many of whom knew Sam, or lived with us in school. Each one emailed me back with a little memory they held of my precious little one. It was a fitting and touching tribute to the gentlest soul I know.. I will be moving as of August 20th, and this address will no longer be in use. Please cancel my membership to the list. Although it's been a source of support for me, I'm hoping I won't ever need the information I've gleaned here ever again (silent prayer for my survivor, Lb.'s ("pound") continued good health). However, since Sam's passing, Lb. been less active. He has never been alone before...any tricks to bringing him out of his funk? I'm also in the midst of a move, very stressful for pets, any info to make this easier for Lb. would be appreciated...please email me directly (lsturla@hotmail.com), as this is not on topic for the list!) My thanks, Lesley and Lb. ----------------------- End of FAIML #454 -------------------------