Boomer's Incredible Story

      Boomer is a wonderful little angel of a ferret.  He is a 7 1/2 year old little boy.  I have had him since he was just a little baby. He was diagnosed with adrenal gland disease and possible insulinoma in the fall of 2006.    Last October, he had surgery up at Colorado State University.  During his surgery, he had a partial pancreatectomy (part of his pancreas was removed) when they found a tumor on it producing too much insulin ( an insulinoma.)  This tumor caused Boomer's glucose level to go very low.  He also had an adrenal gland removed because he was diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism. This particular disease is common in ferrets, and means that the cells on the adrenal gland that produce cortisol produce too much of that, causing hair loss and other physical problems.  And last but not least,  they found his liver to be grossly abnormal and covered in tumors.  Interestingly, these tumors were felt to be benign when they were biopsied. 

     After his surgery, he went home.  Then 2 days later,  his wound dehisced meaning it came apart.  He was rushed into surgery to put him back together.  He had a rough recovery after that as well, but survived and had lived 8 months free of any problems.