Archive Case #72: Ferret Insulinoma

Clinical Clues

1. A middle-aged ferret is presented for intermittent weakness and brief collapse episodes.
2. The owner says the ferret paws at the mouth and drools before some of the episodes.
3. The signs are more likely to occur after excitement or a period without food.
4. On one occasion the ferret briefly seized before recovering.
5. Blood glucose is repeatedly low at the time of clinical signs.
6. Functional pancreatic beta cell tumours commonly cause recurrent hypoglycaemia in ferrets.

Diagnosis

Ferret Insulinoma

This case is most consistent with Ferret Insulinoma because the ferret has episodic hypoglycaemic weakness with documented low blood glucose. The most important clues are the fasting-related episodes, ptyalism, and hypoglycaemia, which strongly support insulinoma.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.