Today didn't go quite like I expected but its all good. I took all the ferrets in for their 6 month check ups and to get their implants related to adrenal disease.
The physicals went well - all of the babies are in good health and passed their physicals. They were all very well behaved. The implants went well too. When Madison had her implant placed they put her under anesthesia for a minute to insert the large needle. Much to my surprise - no plan for anesthesia today - which was actually good. Much less risky, less expensive, etc. Implants went in and while there was a minute of ouch for my guys - they recovered quickly and were no worse for the wear. They are all protected for a year - next November (and every one thereafter) we will insert another one... so that part went well.
The only surprise today was with our sweet Violet. A few months ago we did a wellness blood panel on Madison - starting with her because she is the oldest. Violet is next in line so while they were poking and prodding they drew blood and ran the panel. Unfortunately they found that her glucose numbers were low - the tell tale sign of insulinoma. Poop... For those of you who have been following our gang for awhile - you will remember that our boy Clooney had this and eventually passed from it. Now - don't get too stressed. Clooney was almost 7 when he was diagnosed and his disease was fairly advanced as his whole panel of blood numbers were whacky. Violet will be 4 in January and her blood work was perfect other than low glucose. We have started her on prednisolone. She had her first dose at the vet's office and will get another at 10:30 tonight. So far she is doing fantastic. I have her in our room which she is loving. She has played with the dogs (my mom's pup is visiting), explored both closets, played in the shower, etc. There is nothing wrong with her appetite - she has eaten 3 times since we got home at 11. Her spirits seem good and she doesn't seem to be having any ill effects from the meds. Clooney did not do great on pred but Harlow did very well. I think most ferrets tolerate it just fine.
Anyway - she goes back for a glucose check in 2 weeks to make sure we have her on the correct dosage and then a check every 3 months or so to stay on top of things. She will be on pred for the foreseeable future. The good news is there are additional treatment options should we need them and she could live to a normal life expectancy given the right treatment.
Here is
an article from our vet if you are wanting to know more.
I didn't do a great job of pics - but I did get a few:
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| A bucket full of love.... |
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| Fiona |
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| Madison & Tabby |
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| Tabby upper left, Theo upper right, Bash lower right, Fiona lower left |
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| Tabby - geez she is cute... :) |
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| Theo |
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| Violet getting her physical |
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| Dr. Dan with Violet |
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| Bash getting his physical |
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| Tabby getting the implant - it takes three folks - one to give her Ferretone as a distraction, one to hold her by the scruff and one to put the implant in |
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