Vet followup

[skreidle]

Dr. Kawasaki (whom I really like, as he's friendly, knowledgeable about ferrets, highly skilled, and well-respected) agrees with the insulinoma diagnosis, and clarifies the eye problem as retinal atrophy, which he apparently discovered. Can't do anything for her vision, though she's getting along fine as is. For the insulinoma, he recommends surgical removal of the malignant pancreatic bits, which is an easier (and thus more reasonably-priced) surgery than adrenal, total cost under $200. I'll schedule that sometime soon.

She was also quite active in his office, despite low blood sugar--he says that ferrets basically produce insulin on demand to control their sugar level, so it fluctuates a lot. He also says that the technique he's been using recently for adrenal with good success--if I recall correctly, and I may be missing details--is freezing the affected gland.

Comments

[xviragox.livejournal.com]

Glad things are looking hopeful for your ferret.

I knew a guy whose ferrets had to have repeated surgeries for cancer. Why are ferrets such sickly little critters? Are they super-inbred?

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

Well, they'd been a purely domestic animal for 3,000 years or so.. and these days, there are two major breeding farms (Marshall and Path Valley), so yes, there's a lot of inbreeding. Some of the common maladies of older ferrets are adrenal disease (cancer), insulinoma (cancer), lymphoma (cancer, I think), and aleutian disease virus (don't know)--conveniently, the four not covered by most pet insurance companies.

[vampirekat.livejournal.com]

Awww... Poor Sylvie! I really hope she feels better soon. One thing is certain, she is one lucky ferret to have such a loving, caring and responsible "father".
=)

[skreidle.livejournal.com]

She's so adorable, how could she not? :D

[vampirekat.livejournal.com]

True, true.
=)