QUESTION:
Our ferret had exploratory abdominal surgery this week and they removed a pancreatic tumor but were unable to remove a right-sided adrenal gland tumor. Right now she is in good health but what are the things we should do to keep her healthy as long as possible? Thanks. She's 4 1//2 years old and is our baby.

ANSWER:
I am glad to hear that Tinkerbell made it through surgery and is doing well. Why did they not remove the adrenal tumor? Is your vet not too familiar with adrenal surgery, as these days they usually can remove the right adrenal, mostly using 'cryo' surgery?

The fact that Tinkerbell had/has insulinoma means that you need to have her blood glucose checked regularly at least once a month. Even though the visible tumor was removed, there are most likely many more invisible to the naked eye that will continue to do damage and may cause the blood sugar to drop!

Hypoglycemia is very common in ferrets and to help maintain her, I would feed her GERBER'S CHICKEN/turkey BABYFOOD twice a day, about 4-5 teaspoonful with a little water and warm. You can start by letting her lick it from your finger and if she doesn't want to eat it, then use an eyedropper at first. In time she will be hopping up and down for it.

For the adrenal disease you do have two choices, you can give her MELATONIN, once a day 8-9 hours after sunrise (crush it and give it in babyfood or something she likes). You can buy it at WAL-MART it is inexpensive and you will need to buy the 1mg size and give her 1 tablet each day, about the same time.

If you find that you are unable to do this, then ask your vet if he can give her LUPRON injections, this will need to be done monthly or every 4 months (the 4 months usually lasts 6 months). However both these treatments, whichever one you decide to use, will ONLY TREAT THE SYMPTOMS, not cure the disease.