From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2001-09-07 18:30:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Re: protracted estrus
Alicia wrote:
>Marie,
>It is possible your ferret though not displaying a enlarged vulva is indeed
nin estrus. This happened to a 1 1/2 year old jill who was me personal
pet. She was cycled out via v hob the first heat, and never came into heat
( visably) after that. I assumed she had been spayed 8 months later with a
group of 4 pets the Sept previous. Unfortunately she started balding on
the hips, trunk and I asked the vet to check records while scheduling her
for adrenal surgery or spay--
>The end result was she was in HEAT! The vet referred to this as a silent
heat and I am glad she did not develop aplastic anemia during the period of
time.
>Expect to spay her and find her uteran horns enlarged from a prolonged heat
cycle! That would be my expert advice to you! You might consider running
a blood check for anemia while you are at it!
>ALicia
Ferret Wise Shelter
www.ferretwise.org
------------------------------
I add:
Yes, we don't breed, but I have certainly read of that happening
elsewhere so it is a possibility that can't be summarily dismissed.
Protracted heat (silent or not) can be dangerous, though. There is
the risk that the constantly high levels of estrogens will set off a
life-threatening anemia.
Adrenal disease in ferrets typically causes high levels of estrogens
to be produced by the adrenal affected, so it is like a MIMIC of
heat: fur affects, vulval swelling, etc. Not all symptoms may
happen in each individual, just as Alicia learned that estrus may not
always cause all symptoms in all individuals.
I second Alicia's comment about the blood check; if she is anemic
then precautions must be taken before surgical correction.
Your friend would be best off NOT delaying this, and instead should
soon get her to a vet to be safest.
When the vet has taken the logical steps let us all know what the
outcome is. Okay? This is another one to learn from...