Diagnostics and Treatment of Insulinomas in Ferrets - A Retrospective Study

Endokrini sustav je najčešće mjesto nastanka tumora u tvorova. Inzulinom je najčešće funkcionalan, neuroendokrini tumor β-stanica gušterače koji je prema pojavnosti na prvom mjestu, a na drugom je mjestu tumor nadbubrežne žlijezde. Za ovu je bolest kronična hipoglikemija karakteristična, kao i klinički simptomi poput ataksije stražnjih udova, letargije i kolapsa. Napretkom bolesti ozbiljnost kliničkih simptoma se povećava i konačno dolazi do nepovratnih cerebralnih lezija. Postavljanje dijagnoze inzulinoma temelji se na kombinaciji karakterističnih kliničkih simptoma i niske koncentracije glukoze u krvi. Terapija je medicinska ili kirurška ili njihova kombinacija. Cilj liječenja je stabilizacija pacijenta kroz određeno vremensko razdoblje te je vlasnicima potrebno objasniti da trajno izlječenje nije moguće. Ovo je istraživanje provedeno na 50 tvorova, što je činilo 17,5 % od ukupno zaprimljenih i pregledanih tvorova na Klinici za unutarnje bolesti Veterinarskog fakulteta u Zagrebu, u vremenskom razdoblju od 8 godina, a u kojih je postavljena dijagnoza inzulinoma. Uočena je blaga spolna predispozicija (češće u mužjaka) za razvoj ove bolesti te učestalija pojavnost u tvorova starije dobi. Najčešće opaženi klinički simptomi bili su: ataksija stražnjih ekstremiteta, letargija, kolaps, gubitak tjelesne mase i gubitak apetita. Na temelju dijagnostičkih podataka, potvrdili smo da je mjerenje koncentracije glukoze u krvi bio najčešći način postavljanja dijagnoze, s najčešća metoda liječenja bila je medikamentozna terapija korištenjem glukokortikoida.The endocrine system is the most common site of tumor formation in ferrets. Insulinomas are usually functional, neuroendocrine tumors of the β cells of the pancreas. In terms of incidence they are in first place, while tumors of the adrenal gland are in second place. Chronic hypoglycemia is characteristic for this disease, as are clinical symptoms such as ataxia of the hind limbs, lethargy, and collapse. The severity of clinical symptoms increases as the disease progresses, finally appearing as irreversible cerebral lesions. Diagnostics are based on a combination of characteristic clinical symptoms and a low concentration of glucose in the blood. Therapy is medical or surgical, or a combination both. As veterinarians, we have to explain to owners that a permanent cure is not possible, that is, that the goal of the treatment is to stabilize the patient over a period of time. This study was conducted on 50 ferrets, which accounted for 17,5% of all admitted and examined ferrets, at the Clinic for Internal Diseases, at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagreb, over a period of 8 years, and who were diagnosed with a insulinoma. A mild sexual predisposition (in the favor of males) was noticed, and the disease was found to be more common in geriatric ferrets. The most common symptoms observed were ataxia of the hind limbs, lethargy, collapse, loss of weight, and loss of appetite. Based on diagnostic data, we have confirmed that the most common diagnostic procedure was measuring the blood glucose level, while medical therapy with glucocorticoids was the most common treatment method