Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using low-dose dexmedetomidine to keep blood sugar stable in a ferret
By Schiele, Anika R. et al.·Published in Veterinary Record Case Reports·2025·Section of Veterinary Anaesthesiology Vetsuisse Faculty University of Zurich Zurich Switzerland·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: The use of low‐dose dexmedetomidine constant rate infusion to stabilise blood glucose in a domestic ferret ( Mustela putorius furo ) with insulinoma undergoing sevoflurane anaesthesia
- Species:
- rodent
Plain-English summary
A 5.5-year-old male ferret with insulinoma (a type of tumor that affects insulin production) was brought in for a dental procedure under anesthesia. To keep his blood sugar stable during the surgery, the vet used a constant rate infusion of dexmedetomidine, which helped raise his blood glucose levels. After the procedure, the ferret took some time to recover, but he eventually returned to normal blood sugar levels and was discharged healthy. This case suggests that while dexmedetomidine can help manage blood sugar, it may not always be necessary for ferrets already on certain medications.
People also search for: ferret insulinoma treatment · ferret dental procedure anesthesia · low blood sugar in ferrets
Abstract
Abstract A 5.5‐year‐old, male domestic ferret ( Mustela putorius furo ) diagnosed with insulinoma was presented for a dental procedure under general anaesthesia. In insulinoma patients, it is essential to avoid hypoglycaemia. In other species, constant rate infusion of dexmedetomidine has been reported to sustain adequate blood glucose by inhibiting insulin secretion. Following premedication with butorphanol and midazolam, anaesthesia was induced with alfaxalone and maintained with sevoflurane and dexmedetomidine constant rate infusion (0.25–0.5 µg/kg/h). Serial blood glucose measurements demonstrated an initial rapid surge, increasing to hyperglycaemic levels even after cessation of dexmedetomidine constant rate infusion. After a delayed recovery with blood glucose decreasing over time, the ferret fully recovered and remained euglycaemic until discharge. This case report highlights the rapid rise of blood glucose shortly after starting dexmedetomidine. Dexmedetomidine constant rate infusion might not be necessary for prednisolone‐treated ferrets to avoid hypoglycaemia, but the anaesthetic‐sparing and analgesic effects could still be useful to provide balanced anaesthesia in insulinoma patients.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1002/vrc2.70159