Message Number: YG2585 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Kim
Date: 2001-04-15 22:27:00 UTC
Subject: Adrenal surgery vs Lupron therapy

I have a ferret just diagnosed with adrenal. She has a swollen vulva.
No other symptoms. We did the tenn panel on her and all her hormones
are elevated. She is 2 1/2. Very healthy. This vet stated he now
wants to do an ultrasound (to look for enlarged glands), and then he
wants to start Lupron therapy. I always thought that if the ferret was
healthy, that surgery should be in order, not Lupron. I thought that
Lupron was something to use when surgery wasn't an option.
Please help me understand this. I know this vet is very experienced
with ferrets, but I don't know how I feel about this.

Plus, at the price of getting the monthly injections for the rest of
her life, she could have the surgery and be done with it. (he is
planning on charging $74 bucks a month) I think that is way too high.
When I stated I was part of a group that discussed ferrets and asked
certain questions, he acted upset and kept saying "fine, you do
whatever you want" I wasn't happy at all with this. Am I being too
weird about all this?? Or am I way out of line here....geez. I don't
know. Don't get me wrong, if Lupron is the way to go, fine, I jsut
thought surgery was better. Please advise.

KIM
PS- Mike, the ferret that is on the Diazoxide 2.27 mg BID is extremely
small (she was the runt) and doesn't even weigh 1 pound. She is
healthy, not skinny, just very small. Maybe that accounts for the
very small dose? What do you think? I'm not sure about the math part
of it. Any help would be appreciated.