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Post by greta on Jun 6, 2009 19:01:13 GMT -5
Itty hasn't been acting herself lately and I'm beginning to wonder if she has insulinoma in its early stages. My little girl isn't eating well and her nose is not as pink as it used to be. This afternoon Itty woke up and came to me. I lifted her into my arms and she stayed there content for over half an hour. Itty loves to cuddle, but not normally for such a long time. When Itty began to wriggle a little bit I set her down and she just rolled over on her side and lay there on the floor, kind of limp like. When I picked up my little girl again, she lay in my arms with no objections for another long, long cuddle. That's when I decided to make her some warm duck soup and I carried my baby into the kitchen while I prepared it. I held the soup for Itty, but she didn't dig in the way she used to do. I began dipping my finger into the soup and Itty would lick it off every time and then lap a little more from the bowl. Finally I set the bowl on the floor, thinking Itty might eat more if I were't holding her. She lapped a bit and then off she went to the puppy pad. Itty used the pad by the front door and then went back to another pad covering the cold air register. She began tunneling under the pupy pad as if she were playing and peeking out at mommy every now and then. Now I'm wondering if Itty has the beginnings of insulinoma and the soup brought up her blood glucose level enough to cause her energy to return. After this she trotted normally under the couch and is probably sleeping there now. I intend to take my little girl to see Dr. Bader in Holland the first chance I get. This will probably be on Tuesday or Wednesday, the days my son is off work and can drive us there. I want Dr. Bader to do some blood work on Itty and also a sonogram to see what's going on in her little body. Itty will be 6 y/o on August 10, but I've had other fur kids this age that were full of pee and vinegar. If it turns out that Itty does have insulinoma, I'm tempted to opt for the surgery this time. If I thought it would be possible to save her with surgery before any tumor(s) grew too large, I'd be willing to chance it in hopes of giving her a happier, more active life once she recuperated from her operation. What do you folks think? I am in a quandry about this, as I want only to do what is best for my baby. Sorry this is so long, but it's hard to put down all the facts in a short post. Thank you Everyone, for any thoughts you can give me on this. I know many of you are more experienced with this disease than I am. A worried Mommy GG
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Post by dee517 on Jun 6, 2009 19:34:53 GMT -5
Greta, I understand your concern. I think you have made the right choice. Take her to the vet as soon as possible. You can never be too safe with these sweet babies. They are fine one day and down the next. Sometimes mom feels their is something wrong before the obvious shows. We just know when our little ones are not quite right. I will keep Itty in my prayers.
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Post by greta on Jun 6, 2009 21:26:02 GMT -5
Thank you, Dee. And thank you for keeping Itty in your prayers. I just realized that's something I forgot to include in my thread ... prayers please for Itty. Hugs, Greta
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Post by huronna on Jun 6, 2009 21:47:20 GMT -5
A mama knows best and is the first to notice when something just isn't right. Any change from the norm kind of gives us an alert. Do keep a close watch on Itty until you can get her to the vet. And take note if there are any glassy eyes or drooling at any time.
Keeping you both in my prayers
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Post by ferretzmom on Jun 6, 2009 23:13:40 GMT -5
Greta - Unfortunately, we have more experience with insulinoma than we'd like. Our Emma, who just turned 7, now has insulinoma. She's not at all active, and usually finds her favorite sweater or sweatpants to curl up in when she comes out for playtime. But she will still come running when she hears the soup dishes being filled. If you suspect insulinoma, fill a syringe with Karo syrup and tape it to the inside of one of your kitchen cabinet doors for a rapid "just in case" rescue. Feeding Itty high protein soup several times a day will help keep her insulin regulated.
We will keep sweet Itty in our prayers. Please let us know what Dr. Bader has to say.
Hugs,
JulieAnn & Arlo
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Post by greta on Jun 7, 2009 0:42:18 GMT -5
Thank you, Heidi and Julie Ann. I am keeping a very close eye on Itty to the point that I'm afraid to go to bed at night thinking she may need me. I will check her again before I turn in to make sure she's ok. And JA, thank you for the tip about the syringe filled with Karo syrup. I'll do that before I go to bed tonight. I always just rubbed the Karo on TT's gums and never gave a thought to using a syringe or keeping the Karo handy that way. It worries me that Itty is not eating her soup as hungrily as I'd like. It's often a challenge to get her to eat even a few tabledsponsful. I'll feel so much better when we see Dr. Bader so I'll know exactly what I'm dealing with here. Thank you both for your prayers. God bless you both. Hugs, Greta
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Post by Lily on Jun 7, 2009 20:41:32 GMT -5
Hi Greta, Had a lot of experience with insulinoma here too  . I hope Itty just had an off day and doesn't have the disease, but if she does, it is treatable. Your vet will check her glucose and see where she's at with the levels. The Karo syrup handy is a very good thing to do and the soup with good protein feedings keeps them regulated. We've used prednisone with good results as well. I never did opt for the surgery .... but definitely discuss it with your vet to weigh pros and cons, as every ferret's situation is different. Hugs to you and prayers and good thoughts to Itty. |
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Post by furballlover on Jun 8, 2009 6:20:23 GMT -5
Many good thoughts for baby Itty!
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Post by greta on Jun 8, 2009 9:40:59 GMT -5
Thank you for the prayers, Folks. So far theKaro filled syringe taped to the cupboard door hasn't had to be used. Yesterday Itty had 5 servings of soup and she's had one serving for her breakfast so far today. I'm hoping my son will agree to drive us to Holland either Tuesday or Wednesday so Itty can see Dr. Bader. Mommy GG
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Post by Dar24 on Jun 8, 2009 10:21:32 GMT -5
Ahhhh Greta sorry to hear your baby has been not herself.. Glad to hear she is at least eating good.. I sure hope she just wasn't feeling herself that day and that she is perfectly healthy when she goes to see the vet..
Itty is in my prayers..
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Post by ferratootsie on Jun 8, 2009 17:14:02 GMT -5
I'll keep Itty in my prayers...maybe she just needs more of your tasty soup.....  |
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Post by dee517 on Jun 8, 2009 19:44:42 GMT -5
Just checking in to see how dear little Itty is doing. It sounds like you are doing everything right.
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Post by yukkabelle on Jun 9, 2009 2:30:23 GMT -5
Oh Greta, I am so very sad that Itty baby girl makes you worried. I hope your son will be able to drive you to the vet. It is better to see the vet now with the hope he will find nothing important, than to wait and letting the things become worse.
Your so preicous little girl is my thoughts and prayers. Sending plenty love of both of you and a big hug to Ozzie too. Please keep us updated, we all care for Itty. Love, Yukka
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Post by greta on Jun 9, 2009 3:24:56 GMT -5
Itty seems to be doing a little better this past day or so. I've been feeding her soup each time she wakes and comes to check on me. My main concern is the 'flopsy' way Itty seems to be positioning herself lately. Maybe it's because she's been sleeping and isn't quite awake yet, but I don't recall her doing this before. Mommy GG
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gardenfairy
Junior Member
The fairy with an attitude!
Posts: 74
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Post by gardenfairy on Jun 9, 2009 14:55:44 GMT -5
Greta, I'll keep IttyBitty in my thoughts for sure. I've got too much experience with insulinoma also. I know it is quite treatable without surgery. Taz had it for a few years, Zydeco for over a year and a half, and neither of them went into surgery. My vet wasn't comfortable with that surgery. I sure hope Itty just had a bad day, and that things are back to normal now. Hugs!
Kathy
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Post by greta on Jun 9, 2009 16:56:26 GMT -5
I'm not sure at all just what is going on with my IttyBitty or if it's anything to even worry about. What mostly concerns me is the 'flopsy' way Itty holds herself, but she manages to get around the house and find what interests her. Something else that I find strange is that Ozzie has stopped teasing Itty and making her cry. This makes me wonder if Ozzie senses somehow that Itty isn't up to par and he's backing off his usual rough play with her. My son went fishing today and didn't even stop by to put his doggy outside. Darn! I wish there were more experienced ferret vets around my area. I may have to resort to seeing the clinic I took TT to. I'll keep you posted. Mommy GG
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Post by yukkabelle on Jun 10, 2009 0:43:08 GMT -5
Bad son ! I am still having your Itty in my thoughts and prayers. Sending loving hugs to you and your 2 babies, Yukka
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Post by shadoe on Jun 11, 2009 11:02:29 GMT -5
Sending prayers
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Post by greta on Jun 11, 2009 12:11:15 GMT -5
Thank you Everyone for your prayers. They are being answered. Today I remembered a local vet who was recommended to me possibly for for ferrets several years ago. I got out the yellow pages and found this clinic. They do treat ferrets and have two vets who are very experienced in their care. Yipee! Itty has an appointment for tomorrow at 2:45. Praise God!! A Happy Mommy GG
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. I hope Itty just had an off day and doesn't have the disease, but if she does, it is treatable. Your vet will check her glucose and see where she's at with the levels. The Karo syrup handy is a very good thing to do and the soup with good protein feedings keeps them regulated. We've used prednisone with good results as well. I never did opt for the surgery .... but definitely discuss it with your vet to weigh pros and cons, as every ferret's situation is different. Hugs to you and prayers and good thoughts to Itty.
