From:
Karen Purcell, DVM
Date: 2001-05-23 06:03:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Questions on mating behavior - possibl
Lisa,
You wrote:
> I never thought that I could ever find a reason to do it, but here goes...
>
> I've got (2) 2 year old neutered male ferrets that are exhibiting mating
> behavior. The 'girl' of the pair has had to be separated from his cagemate
> due to the bite wounds from the 'boy'. These ferrets were released to the
> shelter and she said that they fight a lot in the cage. This isn't fighting,
> the sable scruffs, mounts and 'mates' (as best as a neutered male can to
> another male) with the panda.
>
> Both have been thoroughly examined by my vet, as I was concerned that we had
> a possible cryptorchid causing all of the problems. He couldn't find one on
> either ferret, so we gave the sable a lupron shot and took blood for a
> Tennessee Panel, just in case we have an unusual adrenal case going on. The
> only other thing that is unusual is the sable did have what looked like hob
> rings around his eyes, but have since faded. We have nothing else to look
> for, so I thought I would toss this out to the collective experts....we
> should have the results of the panel back next week. Any ideas other than
> exploratory surgery? That is basically our last card to play.
I've seen this before, and it turned out to be the most aggressive
adrenal tumors I'd ever witnessed (my own ferret, of course). I
suspect the panel will come back elevated, but surgery here is a good
bet before he starts having urinary problems. The poor panda is just
a victim here, separation is a good idea.
-Dr. Karen
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