From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 1:18 AM To: FAIMLanon; FAIML Cc: faiml@uswest.net Subject: FAIML #463; Sept. 21, 2000 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #463; Sept. 21, 2000 There are four messages in today's list: Statistics?? Update on Buffy Correction Lupron side effects and an introduction 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. 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 and FAIML ARCHIVES/PHOTOS: For more info, check out Michael Janke's adrenal/insulinoma web site: . Past FAIMLs are archived there, with a search feature, and there is a FAIML album featuring pictures of FAIML subscribers and their ferrets. 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: Wed, 13 Sep 2000 11:42:30 EDT From: Guszak@aol.com Statistics?? Hello As a long time lurker and reader, I've enjoyed being able to refer to information and other's experiences with both insulinoma and adrenal. Someone asked a question recently and I was at a loss to answer. Perhaps one of you have that answer. Are there any studies/surveys that project the possiblity percentages of ferrets that will get either insulinoma and/or adrenal problems within its lifetime? I'm guessing it's got to be way over 50% but also feel it's most likely much higher than that. Thanks! Barb and the 4 whirling dervishes...Gus, Zak, Hope and Bren Date: Wed, 20 Sep 2000 9:01:38 -0500 From: mary.rogers@verizon.com Update on Buffy Buffy we thought might have adrenal and/or kidney problems. She has an odor to her that isn't a ferrety smell. In talking with a shelter mom, adrenal ferrets have been known to have a uriny smell. The blood test had elevations and indicated possibly lymphoma, insulinoma, spleenic hematoma, AD... After opening her up yesterday to do a biopsy and take a look she has what we think is a "huge" adrenal tumor that cannot be operated on because of it being intwined with the vena cava, intestines and would take too long to do the surgery and would not help her length of life. I'll know more after the test results come back if it's adrenal and/or cancer. Unfortunately my vet doesn't give her much time. This never gets any easier! Please say a prayer for Buffy. Mary Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 15:22:58 EDT From: Kgsalimy@aol.com Lupron side effects and an introduction Hi Everyone, Although I've been reading the FAIML for a while now, I've never yet posted. My name is Kathy Salimy (some of you may know me from APF), I'm Mom to eleven fuzzies ... one of whom has adrenal disease and one who was just recently diagnosed with insulinoma. Judy, you asked about Lupron side effects in your last post. My three year old JoJo had right adrenal surgery in February but, because there were several pinhead sized tumors that could not be removed, he continued to worsen. Once I realized the surgery had done no good, I opted for Lupron therapy. JoJo received his first injection of the four month depot on July 8. For four weeks, I saw no change in him. He was still lethargic, still aggressive toward some of the others and still bald. Then, on August 5 ... exactly four weeks after the injection ... I noticed what at first appeared to be a dark bruising of the skin on his belly. Within a day or two, it was obvious this was new hair growth. After that initial four weeks, the improvement in JoJo was quite dramatic. His hair came in rapidly, the aggressive behavior stopped, he gained weight and his energy level increased drastically. It has now been nine weeks since the injection and JoJo is back to his old dancing, dooking self ... and sports a full coat of soft new fur. With the exception of a lump between his shoulder blades at the site of the injection that appeared after six weeks, he has had no side effects at all. The lump is to be expected ... it's the Lupron. When it appears, just leave it alone ... if you remove it, you remove the drug ... it will correct itself in a few weeks. Three weeks after it first appeared, JoJo's lump is now beginning to decrease in size. I only hope that my Flash responds as well to his insulinoma treatment as JoJo has to the Lupron. Flash is only three years old and was diagnosed just last week. He is taking 0.5cc of Pediapred twice daily along with a special elixir of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and supplements in a base of canned food, baby food and chicken broth. He loves the elixir, hates the pred. A blood test just six days after the treatment began showed a glucose level of 92 ... up from 69. I just hope it continues to work so well. If anyone has any other suggestions for either of my boys, all advice is welcome and greatly appreciated. Good luck to White Russian (and to Troy Lynn's Ferris) with the Lupron treatments. I hope your boys respond as well as JoJo has. Hugs to all with sick babies ... you're in my prayers. Sincerely, Kathy <>< Date: Tue, 12 Sep 2000 14:07:51 EDT From: Outlaw50@aol.com Correction In a message dated 9/12/00 11:50:51 AM Eastern Daylight Time, faiml@uswest.net writes: << It turns out that the 17LL Progesterone (which is what the report says...at least I think that's how it reads...I don't have it in front of me, but I know that's close) isn't actually progesterone at all. >> I have to make a correction. I now have the report in front of me...and I *was* close. The report lists it as: "17 OJJ Progesterone". Well...sounds like progesterone to me...who'd think it's actually testosterone? Judy ----------------------- End of FAIML #463 -------------------------