Pancreatic islet cell tumor in a domestic ferret

A 5-year-old castrated male ferret began to exhibit signs of episodic lethargy, hindlimb weakness, and ataxia along with mild to moderate weight loss. Serial blood glucose measurements revealed persistent hypoglycemia. The animal was euthanized and a necropsy performed. Discrete pancreatic nodules were discovered and submitted for histopathologic analysis. One of the nodules was found to contain pancreatic islet cell tumors; other areas contained foci of islet cell and acinar hyperplasia. Pancreatic islet cell tumors, commonly referred to as insulinomas, are common tumors in ferrets and typically occur in middle-aged and older animals. These animals, when properly diagnosed, can be managed either medically or surgically or, often, by a combination of medical and surgical treatments, and their lives greatly extended.