title: Constant rate infusion of glucagon as an emergency treatment for hypoglycemia in a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo).
abstract: METHODS
  A 3-year-old female domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo) with an insulinoma was treated because of a hypoglycemic crisis prior to scheduled pancreatectomy with concurrent nodulectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Previously, the ferret had clinical signs of lethargy and hind limb weakness; at that time, blood glucose concentration was low, and a tentative diagnosis (subsequently confirmed) of insulinoma was made. Prednisolone treatment (0.3 mg/kg [0.14 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) did not improve clinical signs; the dosage was gradually increased over a 1-month course (1.8 mg/kg [0.82 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h) and maintained for 10 days. Overall, the treatment was ineffective, and the ferret remained lethargic and developed inappetence. At a reevaluation, the ferret had severe weakness and nonresponsiveness nearing a comatose state. Standard treatment with dextrose (1 mL of 50% solution, IV), and dexamethasone (1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb], SC) was administered with resultant improvement in mentation. The ferret was discharged from the hospital and then returned 3 days later for stabilization prior to pancreatectomy with concurrent nodulectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The day before surgery, the ferret was administered a glucagon constant rate infusion at a rate of 15 ng/kg/min (6.8 ng/lb/min), which resulted in an increase in blood glucose concentration to a euglycemic state and resolution of clinical signs of hypoglycemia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As illustrated by the case described in this report, a glucagon constant rate infusion can be used successfully for the emergency treatment of hyperinsulinemic-hypoglycemic crisis in insulinomic ferrets.
authors: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4, Canada.
authors: Katarina R
authors: KR
authors: Bennett
authors: M Casey
authors: MC
authors: Gaunt
authors: Dennilyn L
authors: DL
authors: Parker
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005260:Female; D005289:Ferrets; D005934:Glucagon / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007340:Insulinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D005934:Glucagon