From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Thursday, January 04, 2001 4:07 AM To: FAIMLanon; FAIML Subject: FAIML #495; Jan. 4, 2001 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #495; Jan. 4, 2001 There are seven messages in today's list: Lupron shot Dustie's surgery Fatbert passed away Sid goes over the bridge 1/3/01 tests for bilaterals Ages of adrenal?? need info on GER or GIR 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 find. 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 and send to . Remember: the more specific you can be in your subject heading the greater the chance someone will be able to find your important info when searching the archives. 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 get it; then I'll 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 Michael is kindly posting pictures of FAIML subscribers and their ferrets in a FAIML Album. 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 new subscribers the "Disease Package", a file that tells how to get all six of Pamela Greene's FAQs on ferret diseases. Pam has also compiled 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. Plus, it comes out daily. I encourage people to cross post on the FML and FAIML to get the most possible exposure and feedback. Visit FERRET CENTRAL website (you can find its address in the 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, 02 Jan 2001 16:54:03 -0700 From: "Glenn Johnson" Subject: Lupron shot Hello Ferret friends, I need some opinions.......My Chuki is losing fur on his back and on his hind toes. Because he is 7.5 years old, has insulinoma, and has just had three debilitating months from ECE, I'm reluctant to have surgery for him. More than the hair loss, the possibility of urinary blockage worries me to death. I have decided to get a 4 month lupron shot for him, his vet will order the shot from the pharmacy recommended by Doctor Weiss. Where, on the ferret, is the shot placed? I ask because I vaguely remember something about "in the muscle on a hind leg", as opposed to a SQ behind the shoulders. Also will appreciate hearing any reasons why we shouldn't do this. Bless our Ferrets, Glenn and Chuki Date sent: Sun, 31 Dec 2000 22:42:44 -0500 From: "Michael F. Janke" Subject: Dustie's surgery Is a local anesthetic an option rather than putting him entirely under? I guess it'd be tough to keep him still during the procedure, but it's a thought. For the ferrets, Mike * Michael F. Janke, mjanke@miamiferret.org * South Florida Ferret Help Line, 305-752-7040 * * Website: http://www.miamiferret.org * Adrenal/Insulinoma web site: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc Date sent: Mon, 1 Jan 2001 00:39:46 -0500 From: "Michele" Subject: Fatbert passed away Just wanted to let you all know my beloved ferret passed away late last night after midnight. He had adrenal just beginning but had that re- occurring ulcer so he couldn't have surgery just now. I found him in his cage when I was making sure he was okay. I had just fed him an hour before and he did not want any baby food or pedialyte so I knew something was wrong. I feel heartbroken that this time his ulcer was so bad that it wouldn't heal. His health was going downhill these past few months but I woke up every three hours to feed him and fattened him up. He was doing so well I was feeling happy that his adrenal could be addressed and now he is gone. I feel like I failed him though I know I tried despite my efforts. It was awful to find him in his cage the way I did. I apologies if I am not making much sense here but my heart is broken and I am crying because this was a huge surprise as Fatbert was doing so well .He now joins Bandit who died from insulinoma that could not be regulated with both prednisone and proglycem which I donated to a ferret shelter when he passed away..  Please hug your babies and know my prayers are with all of the ferrets who are ill or have crossed the Rainbow bridge.. Michele in New Jersey missing her two babies badly.... Date sent: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 22:13:07 -0800 From: "Deborah Magerr" Subject: Sid goes over the bridge 1/3/01 I'm sad to say my baby Sid lost his battle with heart disease today. He went quietly at home, his heart probably just stopped. He was out and about last night, I gave him his gravy/meds as usual....so strange. He was my last of three, I lost about one each year. If anyone knows of any breeders near LA area (willing to drive!) , please contact me privately. I would like to fill this hole in my heart, but I don't want to adopt anymore older ferrets for the selfish reason that I want more time to spend with them! I can't imagine being ferretless! Debbie M (missing, Sid, Nancy & Punky) ---------------- Sent from a WebBox - http://www.webbox.com FREE Web based Email, Files, Bookmarks, Calendar, People and Great Ways to Share them with Others! Date sent: Tue, 02 Jan 2001 16:56:57 -0500 From: "Mary L. McCarty" Subject: tests for bilaterals >With the weight lost, I am wondering if there is a blood test or other test to >determine if Sam should be on Hormone replacement? I seem to After bilateral adrenal surgery you want to test their electrolytes and potassium (I believe that's the other test). If the ferret needed the hormones and was not getting them, you would know what to look for....they crash hard within 48 hours (or so I was told by Dr. Weiss). >From what you describe, your ferret doesn't seem to be having any problems (except for the thinness). Perhaps he's just more active since he feels better? Why not give him more Chicken Gravy if he wants it (he obviously isn't having a weight problem ) We had over 10 bilaterals done this past summer and none of the ferrets needed hormones. We tested for electrolytes about 1 month after surgery (Dr. Weiss usually gives an injection of Percoten - which is an injectible drug that does the same thing as Florinef - and it lasts 3 - 4 weeks) and all have been fine. I keep a good watch on their behavior and haven't had any problems yet (knock on wood!). >whether Therapy was needed. Our vet suggested putting him on .8 ml >of Pred (twice a day) and 1/4 tablet of Florinef Acetate once a day. I would not recommend this without testing his electrolytes to see if he needs the meds. It doesn't sound like he does... >Just a note to all about signs of adrenal trouble. You don't always get >the hair loss. Watch the little guys for any abnormal behavior. Zackari the >first time, started marking his territory. Like, he would pee infront Kathy - Out of the 10+ bilaterals we did this past summer - over half of them ONLY had aggressive sexual behavior as a symptom. They all had beautiful coats, were nicely muscled and in otherwise great shape for their ages (2.5 - 5 years old). In my experience, behavior change is much more common than hairloss as an adrenal symptom. Remember, you know your ferret best. If the "mommy " instinct (or Daddy instinct) tells you something is wrong, don't ignore it. Mine has been right too many times for me not to do something. Mary Mary McCarty-Houser, Director Pennsylvania Ferret Rescue Association of Centre County http://www.ferretrescue.com http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?cid=9903&mid=114508 Date sent: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 22:15:57 -0500 From: "Linda" Subject: Ages of adrenal?? Hello all I have a quick question for those with adrenal and insulinoma ferrets. What ages are your ferret(s) and when did they start showing the signs? What signs did they start with? Please email me with the answers as to not crowd the list. Thank you for all your help.  Linda and the furry ones ICQ # 81643954 anmllvr@gibralter.net  Date sent: Wed, 03 Jan 2001 20:47:41 -0800 From: "M.Jo" Subject: need info on GER or GIR Hi to all you fuzzy slaves. Hope you've all had a warm and fuzzy New Year and all your babies are healthy and happy. For those who have lost a baby or are dealing with illness, our prayers are with you. The reason I am posting is my vet has asked me to research the internet for some information on a ferret disease or virus that was brought to her attention. Our ferret club president received information about Jen Morrison's shelter in Logan Utah that received some rescue ferrets who developed a disease which caused bleeding from the mouth and black, tarry stools. I seem to recall reading about it, but can't remember where or when I saw the illness listed. The vets there didn't know the cause and could find no information. The ferrets were given vitamin K and antibiotics but many ferrets died anyway. The disease disappeared but then returned the next fall (at least this is the info I received). A pathologist at the Colorado State School of Veterinary Medicine discovered it was a virus which was spread by contact with the feces. The pathologist believed the disease is "out there" but was misdiagnosed as something else in the past. The disease is called GER (gastro esophagus rupture) or GIR (gastro intestinal rupture). Jen feeds the sick ones with baby food chicken noodle, strained carrots, and puppy milk. Tylin for diarrhea, a 1-200 dilution, and injects 0.02 cc/pound every 12 hours. I don't know that much about all of this, this is the information I have received. My vet would like to get any information she can, just in case this shows up in her practice so she will know what to do for the affected ferret. If there are anyone who has heard of this disease/virus and knows more about it would you please send me any information you have so I can gather it for Dr. VanErvin and she can check into it further. I've tried to search the archives and the internet, but have found nothing so far. I will be cross-posting to a couple other lists as we would like to get anything we can in regards to this disease. Thanks for any info anyone can help with. mjo and the zoo, Lady Star, Topanga, Ragine, Bilbo, Frodo, Frito, Pepper, Caesar and the dogs Garth and Darwin (R.I.P. Nipper, Lightning, EZ, Cleo, Phantom and Duke) ---------------------- End of FAIML #495 ------------------------