Ferrets who are diagnosed with insulinoma may need to undergo chemotherapy treatment in order to combat the disease. Insulinoma is the second most common disease among ferrets, occurring when the pancreas develops multiple small tumors on the insulin-producing cells.
Thankfully, there is an effective treatment option for this condition: chemotherapy. While it may come as a surprise to some pet owners, chemotherapy is a wonderful form of treatment that can cure a ferret of insulinoma, especially if the disease is caught at an early stage.
We understand and appreciate how much your pet ferret means to you, which is why we are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest medical findings in order to ensure we provide both you and your ferret with the best care possible. If you have a ferret who needs to undergo chemotherapy, it is important you understand the basic before and after care tips, as well as have an idea of what to expect from this form of treatment.
What is Insulinoma?
Tumors in a ferret’s pancreas are often referred to as insulinoma. In most cases, the tumors will start producing insulin at a higher rate and the ferret will not have enough glucose to counteract the influx in insulin. As time goes on, your pet ferret’s blood sugar will start to drop. If you notice the following signs or symptoms, your ferret may be suffering from insulinoma:
- Drooling
- Staring into space
- Hind limb weakness
- Seizures
As you can see, this is a serious condition that should be treated by a specialized veterinarian as soon as possible. There are three main treatments for this condition: surgery, medication or chemotherapy. In recent years, chemotherapy has become the treatment path of choice, as it has been quite successful in improving the overall health of ferrets with insulinoma.
Early Treatment Promotes a Successful Recovery
If caught early, insulinoma can be treated with chemotherapy. In most cases, your ferret will have four sessions of chemotherapy, administered at three-week intervals. However, this schedule may be altered depending on the needs of the ferret. Chemotherapy for ferrets is most successful for those with mild or no symptoms of insulinoma, but that have been diagnosed with the disease as a result of routine blood glucose monitoring.
Pre- and Post-Care Tips for Owners
In order for you to provide your ferret with the best care possible, it is important you understand the basic care tips for before, during and after the chemotherapy treatment.
Prior to beginning chemotherapy: Before your ferret begins chemotherapy, your vet will perform a complete physical examination as well as blood work. It should be noted that Doxorubicin, the medication that is most commonly used, has been known to cause mild to moderate immune system suppression in ferrets.
If your ferret has any heart problems, this medication should not be used. Keep in mind that most ferrets do not experience hair loss, nausea or diarrhea. However, an upset stomach, discolored urine and heart problems are potential side effects of this type of treatment.
After chemotherapy care tips: A ferret undergoing chemotherapy should be kept separated from other pets and animals for approximately 2-3 days following each treatment session. When cleaning your ferret’s little pan, be sure and wear gloves for 2-3 days. If you notice any unusual side effects, please contact your vet right away.
The majority of ferrets who undergo chemotherapy end up with an improved quality of life, increased energy and higher blood glucose levels. To learn more about this treatment, or if you have any questions about insulinoma, please contact us today. We are committed to providing your beloved ferret with the highest quality of care in order to ensure he or she is as healthy as possible, as well as able to live a long and happy life.
Creative Commons Attribution: Permission is granted to repost this article in its entirety with credit to Sykesville Veterinary Clinic and a clickable link back to this page.
Featured image credit: “101-0121_IMG” by Sean McGrath, . License by https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/