Possible Signs of Insulinoma?

[Ash]

Hi Guys!
So before I get into it, I think its best to give some background info on this one.
I have recently lost my little Rupert to insulinoma, one of the two baby boys I adopted two years ago who introduced me to ferret love. It hit me really hard, and I was very upset about losing my little Dooble for a very long time.
Now, I am starting to think that Stewie, Rupert's big brother of around 4 years old, might be exhibiting some of the same symptoms. I am not sure if I am just paranoid, since the thought of possibly losing him terrifies me, or if this might mean he has insulinoma too.
Stewie seems to be more 'cuddly' these days, but I'm not sure if this is because he misses Rupert and so is loving human contact and affection a bit more than he used to. When Rupert was still with us, Rupert was the one that was constantly plucked out of bed for cuddles, because all Stew-Stew wanted was to play and dook his way along, so I'm thinking that maybe Stewie is just getting more used to it and liking just being with someone? (He has been with Rupert all his life, so being alone is not something he is used to.)
He usually comes out for half an hour 'crazy-plays' two or three times a day, where he essentially war dances and thrashes himself about for a while, and then just runs around exploring for a little longer.
I have noticed him head bob twice, the first time four or five weeks ago and only five actual bobs (I noticed straight away and counted because this was something that Rupert did very often when he was ill), but tried to put this down as Stewie just being tired, as he had had a pretty big day. The second time was tonight, and as I held him under the arms he bobbed his head and arms four or five times again before settling down, and then waking up. I thought this my have been him 'shivering' as he woke up, but I am starting to get worried.
I can't tell if he is less active, or is just being pulled out of his bed and chased around constantly and so is a little more tired than when the attention was divided between him and his brother (we live in a household with three kids, a mum and a dad who all love him very much, so he does get a fair amount of cuddles and is out of his bed either playing or sleeping on us or in our jumpers a fair bit).
He seems to have lost a little bit of weight around the bum area too, but I can't tell if this is just seasonal changes (his coat has been thinning and rethickening at the moment and it is winter here in Australia), and is 'softer'. By 'softer', and this is harder to explain, he is kind of less tense whenever he is picked up now, not floppy but he just kind of lets you mould him into the crook of your arm or wherever.
I am very stressed at the moment, and so I am not sure whether this is me being paranoid, or if this could all be explained by Rupert's crossing of the Rainbow Bridge and Stewie, and us all, adjusting to life without him. I am hesitant to take him to the vet without good reason, because I remember this being a particularly traumatic experience for Rupert, and for Stewie when we first found out and he had to watch his brother have blood drawn.
Please get back to me, I am stressing and worrying and just wanting to do the absolute best for my baby, I love him so much!
Thankyou.

[unclejoe]

Try not to worry too much. I didn't read anything that jumps out and screams insulinoma.
Weights can vary seasonally like the coat. Right now, is he eating and drinking normally? Does he ever stop what he's doing and "stare into space?" You said he bounces around during playtime: Does he walk normally?
Staring can be a sign of a mild seizure. Hind end weakness and loss of appetite can be signs of insulinoma. Insulinoma doesn't affect the coat, that I've ever heard.
If you could get a blood glucose meter and test him yourself, you'd know if it was time to get him in. It's pretty simple, the same test diabetics do on themselves. It only takes a tiny drop of blood. Otherwise, this is a good article on insulinoma in ferrets

www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?A=2427

[ordinarygirl]

Having too much experience with insulinoma myself I also agree that nothing in your post screams that he has it. The long stares off into space were the first sign Gabby had. Thankfully she never did get full on seziures! but the staring, drooling - those are the things that I would look for. Yes, a sick ferret is going to sleep more than a healthy one but how long ago did Rupert pass? And you said the head bobbing was twice in 6 weeks - I dont think that's anything remarkable.

I'm not trying to down play you noticing these things- you're an awesome ferret owner for knowing Stewie well enough to notice the smallest of changes!! That's commendable!

But for now - I don't think you have any cause for alarm. Keep loving on him and enjoy his fuzzy company

[Ash]

Thank you so much for your replies!
I haven't noticed him "stare into space" like Rupert used too, and in answer to your question ordinarygirl Rupert passed three months ago. I know it's a fairly long time, but they have been together since birth and went through an abusive owner and two long-term shelter stays together before they found their Mum. I doubt Stewie is depressed, because he still bounces and walks normally, when exploring he alternates hind legs and when he gets excited or is in a 'crazy-play' mood he bops along jumping with both hind legs in the air at the same time, and seems to be generally pretty happy. He is still eating roughly the same amount of dry kibble, although for a while after Rupert passed he ate significantly less. He gets a plate of chopped and raw meat every 2-3 days, and by 'plate' I mean a solid amount that takes him two or three mealtimes to get through. He is still drinking normally, and is able to 'stand up' on his back legs to get to his drinking bowl and is still able to climb around, particularly up the side of the wicker basket, but when he plays hebdoes occasionally stop for a literally second, not like staring into space, but like he needs a second to decide which way to go,. And then bounces off again.
Thank you again for your replies, and thank payout unclejoe for the blood glucose meter idea! I will get right on that, but just wondering if the same readings would be given, as in anything below 85 warrants a vet visit, and if I would need to do the four hour fast with him beforehand.
Thank you so much!

[unclejoe]

Ferret blood glucose values are about the same as humans, 90-110 mg/dL being the normal range. Generally, a good vet will consider a reading below 70 as indicating insulinoma. We've never fasted our ferrets before a test. Obviously, the reading will vary depending on when the last meal was eaten. He sounds like he's ok. My ferts will be running along and suddenly flat ferret.