Insulinomas in Ferrets
Insulinomas are tumors of the pancreas that are commonly seen in ferrets. These tumors overproduce insulin which causes a drop in the ferret’s blood glucose (hypoglycemia). Clinical signs typically include lethargy, weakness, nausea, excessive drooling, and difficulty waking up. They may also have trouble walking characterized by weakness in the back legs or in severe cases may be comatose or have seizures. These tumors often develop around 4 to 6 years of age, although this disease can occur in younger ferrets. These tumors often spread to other parts of the pancreas and the clinical signs often progress if left untreated.
Diagnosis
If your ferret is exhibiting signs of weakness or lethargy, it is important to have their blood glucose levels checked for hypoglycemia. A blood glucose less than 70 mg/dL supports the diagnosis of an insulinoma, although other causes of hypoglycemia, such as sepsis, should also be considered. Routine bloodwork is recommended to screen for any other underlying diseases and as a pre-surgical work up.
Treatment
Two treatment options for insulinomas in ferrets are available. Surgical removal of the insulinomas is the treatment of choice. Our board-certified surgeons conduct a full abdominal exploratory and evaluate the entire pancreas to remove all visible and palpable nodules. In some cases however, the tumors may be microscopic. Prognosis with surgical excision is good for the resolution or improvement of the clinical signs. However, new tumors can develop over time and clinical signs can re-occur. The period of re-occurrence varies greatly between individuals.
Palliative medical options are available for managing the clinical signs of hypoglycemia in ferrets. The goal of medical therapy is to increase the blood glucose levels to where the clinical signs are controlled so that the ferrets have an improved quality of life. Over the first several weeks of starting oral medications, we will need to recheck your ferret’s blood glucose levels every 5 to 7 days to adjust the dose of medication to an appropriate level. Once the proper dose has been determined, we will need to recheck the blood glucose periodically to assess if dosing adjustments are needed. It is important to note that these medications help manage the clinical signs, but that they do not treat the insulinomas and the tumors remain in the body.
At Home Care
It is important that you have food available and easily accessible for your ferret at all times. This will help them from having a hypoglycemic crisis. We also recommend that you switch your ferret to a good quality high-protein, low carbohydrate diet if they are not already on a good diet. When switching diets, make sure that your ferret accepts the new diet. Discontinue all sugary treats such as raisins or supplements that contain corn syrup since this can trigger overproduction of insulin from the tumors.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about the health of your ferret.
If your ferret is exhibiting signs of weakness or lethargy, it is important to have their blood glucose levels checked for hypoglycemia. A blood glucose less than 70 mg/dL supports the diagnosis of an insulinoma, although other causes of hypoglycemia, such as sepsis, should also be considered. Routine bloodwork is recommended to screen for any other underlying diseases and as a pre-surgical work up.
Treatment
Two treatment options for insulinomas in ferrets are available. Surgical removal of the insulinomas is the treatment of choice. Our board-certified surgeons conduct a full abdominal exploratory and evaluate the entire pancreas to remove all visible and palpable nodules. In some cases however, the tumors may be microscopic. Prognosis with surgical excision is good for the resolution or improvement of the clinical signs. However, new tumors can develop over time and clinical signs can re-occur. The period of re-occurrence varies greatly between individuals.
Palliative medical options are available for managing the clinical signs of hypoglycemia in ferrets. The goal of medical therapy is to increase the blood glucose levels to where the clinical signs are controlled so that the ferrets have an improved quality of life. Over the first several weeks of starting oral medications, we will need to recheck your ferret’s blood glucose levels every 5 to 7 days to adjust the dose of medication to an appropriate level. Once the proper dose has been determined, we will need to recheck the blood glucose periodically to assess if dosing adjustments are needed. It is important to note that these medications help manage the clinical signs, but that they do not treat the insulinomas and the tumors remain in the body.
At Home Care
It is important that you have food available and easily accessible for your ferret at all times. This will help them from having a hypoglycemic crisis. We also recommend that you switch your ferret to a good quality high-protein, low carbohydrate diet if they are not already on a good diet. When switching diets, make sure that your ferret accepts the new diet. Discontinue all sugary treats such as raisins or supplements that contain corn syrup since this can trigger overproduction of insulin from the tumors.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions about the health of your ferret.
