I wish we could have caught Moose’s Insulinoma sooner. I would have learned more about how to prevent Insulinoma in ferrets before it became too late.
You may be familiar with the word ‘Insulinoma’ and yet unfamiliar with the subtle signs of illness and the many ways you can prevent the disease to prolong your ferret’s life. Here’s the First Aid Kit we now recommend after our experience with 3 ferret illnesses at once.
What is Insulinoma in Ferrets?
If a ferret is diagnosed with Insulinoma, it means that they have tumors on their pancreas. These tumors cause an increase (too much for the body) in the secretion of insulin. This leads to very low blood sugar. If a ferret’s blood glucose (blood sugar) levels fall to extremely low levels, the ferret can experience a seizure -with prolonged low blood glucose levels leading to brain damage and death. Insulinoma in ferrets a very scary disease when it is not managed properly!
Veterinarians now consider Insulinoma to be present if fasting blood glucose is under 70-90 mg/DL
Unfortunately, there is no way to cure Insulinoma in Ferrets at this time. Surgery is not 100% effective because it is impossible to remove 100% of the tumors (many are microscopic) and you cannot completely remove a ferret’s pancreas. Medication such as Prednisolone and Diazoxide only help maintain the ferret’s blood glucose levels and do not affect the tumor growths in any way.
Is Insulinoma in Ferrets a Form of Cancer?
It depends. Insulinoma in ferrets can be caused by an insulin-producing adenoma (tumor on a gland) or an insulin producing adenocarcinoma. The first listed in benign, and the second is malignant (cancerous).
How Common is Insulinoma in Ferrets?
Insulinoma is very common in ferrets. Insulinoma is thought to be more common in the United States, and even more common among ferrets that come from large breeding facilities.
Is Insulinoma Related to Diet in Ferrets?
Because Insulinoma in ferrets is related to blood glucose levels, it can be assumed that a more stable, nutritionally accurate diet will help manage the symptoms of Insulinoma in ferrets better. It is also assumed that a good, balanced diet from the beginning has the potential to prevent Insulinoma.
There is a large suspicion that food high in carbohydrates contributes to a higher chance of your ferret getting Insulinoma. This is because ferrets are obligate carnivores and are meant to only consume animal products -no grains, fruits, vegetables, or other carbohydrates. When a ferret consumes a large amount of carbohydrates, their blood sugar spikes and then drops (think like a rollercoaster).
With a more nutritionally accurate diet (one with at least 40% protein and 20% fat), a ferret’s blood glucose levels can remain more consistent throughout the day and night (think like a long, flat highway with very minor hills).
Our thought is -why risk it?
Most ferrets we personally know have all gotten either Insulinoma or Adrenal Disease. These are both heart breaking, debilitating diseases. Why not give them a better chance at life and feed the healthiest food you can find?
Give your ferret medication at the same time every day
How Long Can Ferrets Live with Insulinoma?
6 months to 2 years
As somebody that has a ferret suffering from Insulinoma right now, I hate this question! I hate how short the life expectancy can be once a ferret has Insulinoma. However, I have spent some serious time on ferret forums and quite a few people have had their ferret live for 2 more years after their Insulinoma diagnosis.
How Can I Prolong the Life of My Ferret with Insulinoma?
The key to a prolonged life with Insulinoma is proper diet and a rigid treatment schedule.
After the initial diagnosis for Moose, it was so important for Channing and me to get a treatment routine down.
We use a whiteboard to keep track of medication and feedings for Moose.
For reference, this is our treatment routine for Moose:
6:30am Check Moose Blood Glucose (once per week now) and give Moose Carafate
7:00am Spoon feed Moose Wysong Epigen 90 DS that has been ground into a paste
8:30am Give Moose Prednisolone along with a little bit of food
11:00am If we are home from work, spoon feed Moose
4:00pm If we are home from work, spoon feed Moose
5:30pm Give Moose Carafate
7:30pm Spoon feed Moose
9:00pm Give Moose Prednisolone with a little bit of food
10:00pm Spoon feed Moose, Channing makes a new jar of food paste for tomorrow!
***Notice that for 11am and 4pm it says “if we are home, feed Moose”. We have dry food available to the ferrets all day long. However, Moose does not have a big appetite so we tend to assume he is not eating if we do not feed him ourselves.
Keeping a ferret with Insulinoma is no walk in the park!
For those of you that follow Moose, you know he’s worth the trouble -just like every other ferret in the world!
If you are thinking “oh my goodness, how could I ever feed and medicate my ferret around the clock?!” let me just mention the plus side: Caring for Moose has brought me and Channing closer as a couple and it has also deepened my relationship with Moose. Spoon feeding that little stinker every day is something I will remember for the rest of my life. Yes, it is time-consuming but much like the final moments you spend with an ailing loved one, caring for your ferret with Insulinoma will be one of the most meaningful things you do in your life. I promise you can do it and you will be happier for it.
Please reach out if you need advice or encouragement.
Here’s Channing with two ferret friends in Sturgeon Bay
How Can I Prevent Insulinoma in My Ferret?
You can prevent Insulinoma by feeding your ferret a proper diet. Remember to look for foods with at least 40% protein and 20% fat content!
You can also prevent Insulinoma by monitoring your ferret’s blood glucose levels regularly throughout their life. Veterinarians recommend you test your ferret’s blood glucose levels every 3-6 months when they are showing no signs of Insulinoma. If your ferret has Insulinoma, it is recommended that you test your ferret’s blood glucose levels once per week while your Prednisolone is getting calibrated, and then testing your ferret’s blood glucose levels once per month thereafter. Channing and I tested Moose’s blood glucose levels multiple times a day for the first few days to learn Moose’s natural body levels. We found it very useful for our vet records!
The only blood glucose monitor our ferret-specific vet recommends is the AlphaTRAK2.
7 replies to “Insulinoma in Ferrets: Symptoms and Treatment”
C
Carol shatt
I quit using prednisilone as it is a steroid. I mix chicken baby food with nutrical and vitamins. My babies lap it up like it’s candy. The protein is easily digestible and keeps their blood sugar steady. The ferret can be fed once a day or several times a day, whatever is best for that particular ferret. I have treated numerous babies in this way and they usually live 12-18 months at least. I also give the healthy ferrets a little each day. Then they are used to that taste if they are sick and off their kibble.
My boy weezy just got diagnosed. Im fortunate enough to live in Knoxville, Tn and where The University of Tennessee Veterinarian Hospital is. Dr. DeVall offered 3 types of treatments; Prednisone, Surgery or Chemo pills. Apparently the oncologist (forgot her name) they are friends n went to vet school/college together and Of course I forgot which college it was too, anyways after studies n her own research the oncologist decided to try a pill form of chemo therapy pill form she uses on cats on this ONE ferret (the owner actually lives out of state and drove here to here) so theres nothing to by since its never been tried before. The ferret is doing excellent I believe she said its been a few months later now. Tumor(s) are shrinking, glucose levels returned to normal without ANY meds besides the chemo pill. 1 pill given 3x a week, its a little smaller than a tic tac. No negative side effects have been reported. The ferret owner reported the ferret rather quickly within a month is acting completely normal, like before the ferret was sick. Running playing very active and happy. So we are getting ready to start it on my Weezy. I pray I can keep him alive til then. Seems like he just went down hill so fast like all at once. He just started pred 2 days ago. I wish I had known about the stare. Before I read this post I was saying @he was completely symptom free” and it happened “all at once” now I know thats just not the case. He also was diagnosed with adrenal disease today. He had to go for bloodwork to check cbc, kidneys and his liver to check levels to make sure he was even a candidate for the chemo pill and I went ahead and allowed them to do his implant while he was already there cause AD causes them to feel awful too. If we can even make it 3 or 4 weeks (I pray) maybe I can email you how he is doing and which will allow others to know about this new found ferret treatment thats much less invasive as iv chemo or surgery. Maybe someone And their fur baby would benefit from learning this very brand new discovery. So hopefully my Weezy will be the 2nd baby to try this and have success like the other ferret is.
Hi Julie, I just wanted to reach out and ask how Weezy is doing. I believe we spoke a little more about this topic but perhaps you could provide an update on here? Thanks
Hello, I went through insulinoma treatment with my ferret and the best decision I made was to do surgery to remove the tumors which were benign. It was risky but definitely worth it as it definitely prolonged Arya’s life and she is still steroid free (1 year 2 months later). I check her sugar about once a week and still no lows. A major telltale symptom is stargazing which is when your ferret freezes and stares off into space. We used to call her “frozen”; she still does it but not nearly as much as before. We thought it was cute but this was one of the only indicators that things weren’t right. Then before I knew it her back legs were skidding all over the place (hardwood floors) and then I witnessed a seizure. It all happened so fast!
Was surgery ever presented as an option for Moose? The surgeon I went to is in Gaithersburg, Maryland which was a 45 min drive from where I live. Best $2000 I ever spent! I know that eventually I may have to go back to daily treatment but this did buy more time. Great posts on common conditions in ferrets! Many people don’t think of this when deciding to get a ferret. This information should be a part of the adoption process! People should know the health risks before deciding to become a ferret parent! Please add to your post stargazing/freezing/staring off into space as a symptom to look for. Appreciate all you have done to increase awareness on common health conditions in ferrets!
Hi Jessica, Thanks so much for taking the time to tell us about your experience. It really helps all the ferret owners that land on this page! For Moose, surgery does not seem to be an option. When I spoke with my vets, they said that surgery is not very effective because tumors on the pancreas caused by insulinoma are usually very numerous and very tiny. Surgeons have trouble removing 100% of them, so it does not seem to halt the insulinoma. Perhaps Moose is further along in his insulinoma than your girl? Or perhaps my vets are not as familiar with new treatments? I will do some more research.
I think that’s a great idea to add ‘ferret illness education’ to the pre-adoption process. SO few people are aware of the many healthy, expensive, and sad health problems that ferrets can get.
I will add ‘star-gazing’ as that is something we definitely observed in Moose and has been cited many times by ferret owners. Thanks again!
Insulinoma in Ferrets: Symptoms and Treatment
I wish we could have caught Moose’s Insulinoma sooner. I would have learned more about how to prevent Insulinoma in ferrets before it became too late.
You may be familiar with the word ‘Insulinoma’ and yet unfamiliar with the subtle signs of illness and the many ways you can prevent the disease to prolong your ferret’s life. Here’s the First Aid Kit we now recommend after our experience with 3 ferret illnesses at once.
What is Insulinoma in Ferrets?
If a ferret is diagnosed with Insulinoma, it means that they have tumors on their pancreas. These tumors cause an increase (too much for the body) in the secretion of insulin. This leads to very low blood sugar. If a ferret’s blood glucose (blood sugar) levels fall to extremely low levels, the ferret can experience a seizure -with prolonged low blood glucose levels leading to brain damage and death. Insulinoma in ferrets a very scary disease when it is not managed properly!
What are the Symptoms of Insulinoma in Ferrets?
Is Insulinoma in Ferrets Curable?
Unfortunately, there is no way to cure Insulinoma in Ferrets at this time. Surgery is not 100% effective because it is impossible to remove 100% of the tumors (many are microscopic) and you cannot completely remove a ferret’s pancreas. Medication such as Prednisolone and Diazoxide only help maintain the ferret’s blood glucose levels and do not affect the tumor growths in any way.
Is Insulinoma in Ferrets a Form of Cancer?
It depends. Insulinoma in ferrets can be caused by an insulin-producing adenoma (tumor on a gland) or an insulin producing adenocarcinoma. The first listed in benign, and the second is malignant (cancerous).
How Common is Insulinoma in Ferrets?
Insulinoma is very common in ferrets. Insulinoma is thought to be more common in the United States, and even more common among ferrets that come from large breeding facilities.
Is Insulinoma Related to Diet in Ferrets?
Because Insulinoma in ferrets is related to blood glucose levels, it can be assumed that a more stable, nutritionally accurate diet will help manage the symptoms of Insulinoma in ferrets better. It is also assumed that a good, balanced diet from the beginning has the potential to prevent Insulinoma.
There is a large suspicion that food high in carbohydrates contributes to a higher chance of your ferret getting Insulinoma. This is because ferrets are obligate carnivores and are meant to only consume animal products -no grains, fruits, vegetables, or other carbohydrates. When a ferret consumes a large amount of carbohydrates, their blood sugar spikes and then drops (think like a rollercoaster).
With a more nutritionally accurate diet (one with at least 40% protein and 20% fat), a ferret’s blood glucose levels can remain more consistent throughout the day and night (think like a long, flat highway with very minor hills).
Our thought is -why risk it?
Most ferrets we personally know have all gotten either Insulinoma or Adrenal Disease. These are both heart breaking, debilitating diseases. Why not give them a better chance at life and feed the healthiest food you can find?
How Do You Treat Insulinoma in Ferrets?
How Long Can Ferrets Live with Insulinoma?
6 months to 2 years
As somebody that has a ferret suffering from Insulinoma right now, I hate this question! I hate how short the life expectancy can be once a ferret has Insulinoma. However, I have spent some serious time on ferret forums and quite a few people have had their ferret live for 2 more years after their Insulinoma diagnosis.
How Can I Prolong the Life of My Ferret with Insulinoma?
The key to a prolonged life with Insulinoma is proper diet and a rigid treatment schedule.
After the initial diagnosis for Moose, it was so important for Channing and me to get a treatment routine down.
For reference, this is our treatment routine for Moose:
***Notice that for 11am and 4pm it says “if we are home, feed Moose”. We have dry food available to the ferrets all day long. However, Moose does not have a big appetite so we tend to assume he is not eating if we do not feed him ourselves.
Keeping a ferret with Insulinoma is no walk in the park!
For those of you that follow Moose, you know he’s worth the trouble -just like every other ferret in the world!
If you are thinking “oh my goodness, how could I ever feed and medicate my ferret around the clock?!” let me just mention the plus side: Caring for Moose has brought me and Channing closer as a couple and it has also deepened my relationship with Moose. Spoon feeding that little stinker every day is something I will remember for the rest of my life. Yes, it is time-consuming but much like the final moments you spend with an ailing loved one, caring for your ferret with Insulinoma will be one of the most meaningful things you do in your life. I promise you can do it and you will be happier for it.
Please reach out if you need advice or encouragement.
How Can I Prevent Insulinoma in My Ferret?
You can prevent Insulinoma by feeding your ferret a proper diet. Remember to look for foods with at least 40% protein and 20% fat content!
You can also prevent Insulinoma by monitoring your ferret’s blood glucose levels regularly throughout their life. Veterinarians recommend you test your ferret’s blood glucose levels every 3-6 months when they are showing no signs of Insulinoma. If your ferret has Insulinoma, it is recommended that you test your ferret’s blood glucose levels once per week while your Prednisolone is getting calibrated, and then testing your ferret’s blood glucose levels once per month thereafter. Channing and I tested Moose’s blood glucose levels multiple times a day for the first few days to learn Moose’s natural body levels. We found it very useful for our vet records!
The only blood glucose monitor our ferret-specific vet recommends is the AlphaTRAK2.
7 replies to “Insulinoma in Ferrets: Symptoms and Treatment”
Carol shatt
I quit using prednisilone as it is a steroid. I mix chicken baby food with nutrical and vitamins. My babies lap it up like it’s candy. The protein is easily digestible and keeps their blood sugar steady. The ferret can be fed once a day or several times a day, whatever is best for that particular ferret. I have treated numerous babies in this way and they usually live 12-18 months at least. I also give the healthy ferrets a little each day. Then they are used to that taste if they are sick and off their kibble.
Julie Yates
My boy weezy just got diagnosed. Im fortunate enough to live in Knoxville, Tn and where The University of Tennessee Veterinarian Hospital is. Dr. DeVall offered 3 types of treatments; Prednisone, Surgery or Chemo pills. Apparently the oncologist (forgot her name) they are friends n went to vet school/college together and Of course I forgot which college it was too, anyways after studies n her own research the oncologist decided to try a pill form of chemo therapy pill form she uses on cats on this ONE ferret (the owner actually lives out of state and drove here to here) so theres nothing to by since its never been tried before. The ferret is doing excellent I believe she said its been a few months later now. Tumor(s) are shrinking, glucose levels returned to normal without ANY meds besides the chemo pill. 1 pill given 3x a week, its a little smaller than a tic tac. No negative side effects have been reported. The ferret owner reported the ferret rather quickly within a month is acting completely normal, like before the ferret was sick. Running playing very active and happy. So we are getting ready to start it on my Weezy. I pray I can keep him alive til then. Seems like he just went down hill so fast like all at once. He just started pred 2 days ago. I wish I had known about the stare. Before I read this post I was saying @he was completely symptom free” and it happened “all at once” now I know thats just not the case. He also was diagnosed with adrenal disease today. He had to go for bloodwork to check cbc, kidneys and his liver to check levels to make sure he was even a candidate for the chemo pill and I went ahead and allowed them to do his implant while he was already there cause AD causes them to feel awful too. If we can even make it 3 or 4 weeks (I pray) maybe I can email you how he is doing and which will allow others to know about this new found ferret treatment thats much less invasive as iv chemo or surgery. Maybe someone And their fur baby would benefit from learning this very brand new discovery. So hopefully my Weezy will be the 2nd baby to try this and have success like the other ferret is.
Haley
Hi Julie,
I just wanted to reach out and ask how Weezy is doing. I believe we spoke a little more about this topic but perhaps you could provide an update on here? Thanks
Julie Yates
Sorry…obviously didn’t proof read my post. Smh. Had a very very longgg depressing stressful week 🙁
Grace Webb
well… what happened with your Weezy
Jessica Jordan
Hello, I went through insulinoma treatment with my ferret and the best decision I made was to do surgery to remove the tumors which were benign. It was risky but definitely worth it as it definitely prolonged Arya’s life and she is still steroid free (1 year 2 months later). I check her sugar about once a week and still no lows. A major telltale symptom is stargazing which is when your ferret freezes and stares off into space. We used to call her “frozen”; she still does it but not nearly as much as before. We thought it was cute but this was one of the only indicators that things weren’t right. Then before I knew it her back legs were skidding all over the place (hardwood floors) and then I witnessed a seizure. It all happened so fast!
Was surgery ever presented as an option for Moose? The surgeon I went to is in Gaithersburg, Maryland which was a 45 min drive from where I live. Best $2000 I ever spent! I know that eventually I may have to go back to daily treatment but this did buy more time. Great posts on common conditions in ferrets! Many people don’t think of this when deciding to get a ferret. This information should be a part of the adoption process! People should know the health risks before deciding to become a ferret parent! Please add to your post stargazing/freezing/staring off into space as a symptom to look for. Appreciate all you have done to increase awareness on common health conditions in ferrets!
Haley
Hi Jessica,
Thanks so much for taking the time to tell us about your experience. It really helps all the ferret owners that land on this page! For Moose, surgery does not seem to be an option. When I spoke with my vets, they said that surgery is not very effective because tumors on the pancreas caused by insulinoma are usually very numerous and very tiny. Surgeons have trouble removing 100% of them, so it does not seem to halt the insulinoma. Perhaps Moose is further along in his insulinoma than your girl? Or perhaps my vets are not as familiar with new treatments? I will do some more research.
I think that’s a great idea to add ‘ferret illness education’ to the pre-adoption process. SO few people are aware of the many healthy, expensive, and sad health problems that ferrets can get.
I will add ‘star-gazing’ as that is something we definitely observed in Moose and has been cited many times by ferret owners. Thanks again!
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