Insulinoma
What is an insulinoma?
Insulinoma is a very common tumor seen in ferrets older than 3 years
of age. More specifically, it is a tumor of the beta cell of the
pancreas which hyper-secretes insulin. Insulin is necessary for
normal cellular metabolism and maintenance of normal blood glucose
levels. As a result of excess insulin secretion from the tumor,
blood glucose levels drop to dangerously low levels and can cause
life threatening emergencies.
What are signs of insulinoma?
Symptoms commonly include lethargy, unresponsiveness, hind end weakness,
chronic weight loss, and excessive salivation. Pawing at the mouth,
seizures, along with star gazing or glassy eyes is also commonly
seen.
What to do if your ferret has low blood sugar?
If you note any of the signs mentioned above, you may rub Karo syrup
or sugar water on the gums to raise blood glucose levels quickly.
Follow this with a high protein meal such as clinicare liquid diet
for cats or puréed ferret pellets. Seek veterinary attention
immediately as this can develop into a life threatening emergency.
How do you diagnosis insulnoma?
Diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs and by measurement
of blood glucose levels. The blood glucose level may need to be
repeated on done after 1-2 hour fast to document low blood glucose
levels. A blood glucose level of 65mg/dl or lower is confirmatory
for the disease.
How do you treat insulinoma?
Insulinoma is a highly treatable tumor with management including
both medical and surgical options. Due to the high recurrence rate,
surgery is not recommended but may be useful to debulk tumor load
if another surgical procedure is required.
Life long administration of oral steroids is the treatment of
choice for insulinoma in ferrets. Steroids help regulate blood glucose
and prevent the precipitous drops in blood glucose levels. Dietary
management also plays a significant role in treatment of insulinoma.
All simple sugars and treats must be removed from the diet and only
high protein ferret food given to prevent excessive insulin release.
Prognosis for insulinoma is usually good. However, since medical
therapy is aimed at regulation of blood glucose levels and not reduction
of tumor size, higher doses of steroids will be needed as the tumor
grows. Most ferrets on average have about 6 months to a year of
normal blood glucose before dosage needs to be increased.
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