From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 1:21 AM To: FAIML; FAIMLanon; FAIML Cc: faiml@uswest.net Subject: FAIML #480; Nov. 14, 2000 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #480; Nov. 14, 2000 Hi. I got around ten messages about MI area vets, so have put them in one file and will gladly forward it to anyone who asks. Lynn McIntosh There are five messages in today's list: treating insulinomas with just proglycem no pred? ferrets hair a bit thin a tail MI adrenal ferret- more QUESTIONS-URGENT Re: FAIML: URGENT!!!!! MI STATE VET? Saw Palmetto and other herbs 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 sent: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 09:27:16 -0800 From: "E. Rain" Subject: treating insulinomas with just proglycem no pred? has anyone had any experience treating insulinomas with just proglycem (diazoxide) and no prednisone? we're looking at this for Lemke since the pred isn't a great idea with his cardio meds, and I'd love to hear anyone else's experience. Eden ___________________________________________________________ WARNING: Dates on the calendar are closer than they appear! Eden Rain raghead@liripipe.com Date sent: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 17:38:41 EST From: DAISYLEELA@aol.com Subject: ferrets hair a bit thin a tail i took my ferrets to the vet everything seems to look okay though what viitams can i use to make the ferrets fur more of a better coat thanks Date sent: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 20:43:02 -0700 From: "FerretGirl" Subject: MI adrenal ferret- more QUESTIONS-URGENT Please respond directly to: ferretgirl@theglobe.com Hi Listmates, He IS urinating, but...he strains, urinates frequently and in smallish amounts. My vet's tests (ultrasound, cysto, blood work) confirmed that his prostrate is enlarged and there is some kidney damage (but normal BUN and CREA levels, so it is functioning). He is 95% certain all these problems are due to adrenal disease. He has had a urinary block twice, both times I caught it quickly, so he was able to be unblocked by the vet. We are still on Clavamox for another week trying to fight the UTI. I scheduled an adrenal surgery appointment at Michigan State University (Lansing) for Mon. Nov. 20. (THE SOONEST I COULD GET.) I am going to contact Dr. Fear and/or Dr. Sharon Lawrenchuck...others to see if anyone can get Zippy into surgery sooner. Since Zippy IS urinating, eating well, and responsive...will he make it until Monday IF need be? Another problem I am having is transportation. My family has one car and we all use it to get to work, school, etc. I am new to the Flint area and none of us know Detroit very well. We have been to Lansing on business though. I love him and I'm trying to get him into surgery ASAP. Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable in the meantime? I am doing warm baths and lightly massaging the bladder. My current vet does not want to start him on Propecia, Casodex, or any other meds until AFTER surgery because he said it will "mask the symptoms of the adrenal." Is this true? I am calling my vet tomorrow again to see if I can get him on bladder relaxers (at least) to get him by until Mon. If not I'll have to pray he can make it until Mon! My current vet is not performing the surgery because he is booked through Dec. (I won't wait) He said he has done 40 other adrenal surgeries, but feels that MI State is the best place in the area for the job JUST IN CASE it is the right adrenal that is affected. He does not do the "vena cava," procedure but says that State willand they have cryo and a laser. MSU is also a 24 hour care facility 24/7. We have been to the vet 4 times in 2 weeks. I just want to get my baby well and fast...I CAN't lose him. Thank you all VERY much for your advice, recommendations and support. Zippy and I both appreciate it. FG theglobe.com Your friendly full-service integrated online community. http://www.theglobe.com Date sent: Tue, 14 Nov 2000 21:37:03 -0800 (PST) From: "meesh meesh" Subject: Re: FAIML: URGENT!!!!! MI STATE VET? Hi, I don't know the vets at Michigan state. I hope some vets online and/or members can help with this. I am a vet student at Ohio State University and I know one surgeon, Dr. Dan Smeak at OSU that is one of the best in the world *and* I have had much personal experience with him and my own ferrets including bilateral adrenalectomies. I trust him completely *and* I trust his opinions of other vets. I have to be at Surgery rounds tomorrow morning at 7 am. I expect he will be there and I will ask him what he knows about the surgeons at Michigan state (with respect to ferret surgeries) and if he can recommend (or not) any in particular. I know he will be totally honest with me and I will email back tomorrow as soon as I have any information. Wish I could do more. Just curious, are you able to travel? If your ferret needs surgery in the prostatic/urethral area, this is a delicate surgery and either an experienced board- certified or experienced ferret-vet (there are some known on this mailing list) would be ideal. Also, have you considered, or are you using any medications to control the situation right now? Wish I could offer more. I'll email tomorrow afternoon as soon as soon as I can. Is there a direct email I can write to..this one is replying back to the FAIML..just thought you'd want as quick an answer as possible. ps.. I do not know the policy at MSU, but I don't believe you *need* a reference in order to see the surgeons at the university. If you trust the advice of other members of this list, try calling up the school to see how quickly you could get an appt. (though the first one might need to be through "general practice" - check with the school) Michaela Maurice College of Veterinary Medicine Ohio State University Class of 2002 Date sent: Sat, 11 Nov 2000 01:00:26 -0500 From: miralia@juno.com Subject: Saw Palmetto and other herbs I've been using the herb Saw Palmetto for my ferret Benny's enlarged prostate, so I know it's safe for ferrets (assuming no allergies, of course.) I don't know how effective it is... Benny's prostate is still enlarged, though I think on occasion the saw palmetto has helped a bit. He has also been on Casodex, and is on Lupron. (Right now, he's between Lupron shots and Casodex refills, so he is *only* on Saw Palmetto, and is seems to keep him from being completely blocked.) I recommend getting a liquid extract of the Saw Palmetto and mixing it with gravy or Linatone... the powder form smells and tastes HORRIBLE! Not sure about Cat's Claw. But I have used Bach's Rescue Remedy as well as Essiac tonic (cancer fighting) with Benny, with no allergic reactions. (Rescue Remedy may contain Cat's Claw - I'm not sure.) Hope that helps. Andréa -- miralia@juno.com --ICQ 74505608 http://www.algore2000.com ---------------------- End of FAIML #480------------------------