From:
tansy
Date: 2001-08-29 23:52:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Re; Itchy ferret
Since I am tired I will relate the short version of Gordon's story. At about
4 yo Gordon started producing this dark yellowish oily discharge on his
skin, started itching like crazy. Was diagnosed with chicken allergy. Went
to vet allergy specialist who confirmed this (punch biopsy) and prescribed
Sulfa.... shampoo. (sorry can't remember the exact name). Ate lamb and
mashed potatoes for a year (a story in itself). He had NO hair loss or any
other adrenal signs. Finally Diane Bodofsky talked our vet the wonderful Dr.
Anna Edling into opening him up. He had an adrenal tumor. All the above
symptoms resolved once it was removed. Gordon went back to his beloved
chicken crunchies.
tansy
> Alisa Hinton wrote:
>
> I also have an itchy ferret (5 year old male). He has had some mast type
> cell tumors on his face and one on his back lately. His skin looks
reddish
> in patches. I started washing him again with a special sulfur based
shampoo
> the vet gave me that has helped in the past. He was checked for adrenal
> propblems several months ago by two different vets and neither felt
> anything. He has no hair loss. What are other possible causes for
> itchiness besides adrenal problems?
> Alisa
>
> --------------------
>
> I reply:
>
> Alisa, mast cells produce histamine, that compound that causes, among
> other symptoms, itching. As a result mast cell tumors can, in and of
> themselves, cause itching. (When we used to give one with seasonal
> allergies her antihistamine she would also get some relief from any
> mast cell tumors she had at the time.)
>
> Don't count on finding an adrenal growth by feel. As several vets
> here have pointed out there can be small ones chugging out estrogen
> big time, too.
>
>
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