As a result of the excess insulin, the ferret's blood sugar drops. A ferret with low blood sugar will be lethargic and will not do much other than sleep. If your ferret seems to be lethargic, please consult your ferret knowledgeable veterinarian, who will probably recommend a glucose test. If left untreated, the insulinomas will cause the ferret's blood sugar will drop to the point where seizures occur. As the blood sugar continues to drop, the ferret's seizures become worse and the ferret will die.
Treatment is relatively simple and low cost.
The most common treatment is prednisolone, with doses that vary according to the severity of the condition. At Fox Valley Ferret, we have had ferrets that have needed as little as tablet once every other day, to ferrets that have required a half pill twice a day. A ferret knowledgeable veterinarian will be able to determine the appropriate dose for your ferret. This is Whiskers, he is scheduled for had surgery January 12, 2001. He is exhibiting mid-stage hair loss.