From:
Steve Austin
Date: 2001-06-01 02:37:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Hormone Injections
I have a three year old female Marshall Farms ferret.
Recently she has been experiencing a swelling of the vulva.
We believed her to have a UTI due to some strain while
urinating. We have her on antibiotics - going on 4 weeks.
She is urinating fine now, and no longer has a green 'goop' in
the area. She is playing, eating, drinking and everything
else normally. She is very energetic. She has not lost any
fur. The only visible problem is the swelling. She is
supposed to be spayed. I know it is possible this is an
incomplete spay but we have not had her checked for that. We
are considering a hormone shot but we are asking for advice on
the risks of these injections, whether it will help or not, or
harm if the problem is not an incomplete spay. We realize
adrenal may be a possibility as well. Any advice would be
appreciated. Thank you.
_____________________________
Suzanne,
I am not sure about the hormone injections, from what I have
read on this list the uterine remnant is rare,
whereas adrenal disease is unfortunately, pretty common. I
would suggest that you talk to your vet about
one of the following: 1. Wait and see, since she is so active
and doing well
2. Do a blood test for adrenal
tumors called the Tennessee panel
3. Do exploratory surgery to
look for an adrenal tumor, since the swollen vulva is
almost "diagnostic" in
a female ferret.
My friend's ferret vulva swelled and I was ferret sitting, it
started to have a little discharge and was otherwise
fine. She had the surgery done and sure enough it was an
adrenal tumor.
I hope that helps.
Patty