Ferret Information

Insulinoma in the Ferret

Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians: aemv.org

        Insulinomas (also called functional islet cell tumors or pancreatic beta cell tumors) are tumors within the pancreas that produce abnormally high levels of insulin and are one of the most common diseases affecting ferrets. In many animals, the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which helps keep the body’s sugar (glucose) levels in balance. Most of us are familiar with diabetes, which is a medical condition caused by lack of insulin, or the inability of the body to use insulin.  In uncontrolled diabetes, blood glucose levels are very high.  Insulinoma can be though of as the opposite of diabetes where excess insulin produced by tumor results in a low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia.

         Insulinoma typically affects ferrets between 4-5 years of age, but has been diagnosed in ferrets as young as 2 years old. Severity can vary greatly, but usually worsens over time. Some ferrets develop sudden severe hypoglycemia, which causes the ferret to collapse into a weakened non-responsive state.  More commonly, the onset is gradual and the ferret shows intermittent signs such as weight loss, periodic inactivity, depression, rear limb incoordination and drooling and pawing at the mouth (signs of nausea).  If blood sugar drops too rapidly, the ferret may seizure or go into a coma.

          Diagnosis is confirmed by demonstrating abnormally low blood sugar levels. Your veterinarian will want to rule out other less common causes of hypoglycemia as well. A measurement of the ferret’s serum insulin level may also be recommended to help with the diagnosis.

           If your ferret shows signs of severe hypoglycemia (weakness, collapse), rub honey or corn syrup onto the gums.  Once the ferret has improved enough to swallow, encourage him to eat some of his regular diet.  If your ferret is reluctant to eat, hand feed a high protein food with an eyedropper or syringe.  Good choices include strained meat baby food, or canned cat or dog food.  Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Ferrets that do not respond must be examined immediately.

    Long-term treatment includes dietary modification, surgery, medical therapy, and chemotherapy. Diet modification is an extremely important first step, and involves offering frequent, high quality, high protein foods such as better quality ferret foods, or prescription high protein diets.  Some ferret will eat enough on their own to help regulate blood sugar, but some must be hand fed regularly. It is critical to remove all foods with simple carbohydrates (sugar, fruit, grains) from the diet.  The goal of surgery is to remove visible nodules or even portions of the pancreas to help decrease the body’s insulin production.  Medical therapy involves the addition of medications that help the body regulate blood sugar more efficiently, and may include drugs such as prednisone and diazoxide.  Dosages of medications must be regulated and adjusted carefully.  A number of limited studies have shown some success with chemotherapy using a drug called doxorubicin. Keep in mind that regardless of which treatment option is chosen ferrets with insulinoma cannot be cured, but rather controlled, and that blood sugar concentrations will need to be checked periodically and treatment may need periodic adjustment.  With proper treatment, many ferrets enjoy good quality of life for one or more years.

Produced by the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians: aemv.org. 2005

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