From:
Trina
Date: 2001-10-19 10:49:00 UTC
Subject: Addison's in ferrets?
Hello all. My 5yr old ferret, Molly needs adrenal surgery.
It is set for Nov1st and I would like further information on
Bi-lateral adrenalectomies.
It was suggested that I ask my vet about doing a bilateral
adrenalectomy regardless of which gland is infected due to the
probability of recurrence down the road. I've seen this
mentioned before, so I approached my vet about it. He is very
uncomfortable with doing this. He feels it unncecessary for a
5yr old otherwise healthy ferret, that could very well go
years before recurrance. Additionally, he feels that we would
be "treating an existing problem, by creating another". He
said that we would essentially be causing Addison's disease
and she would have to be medicated for the remainder of her
life.
I addressed the idea that there is usually always enough
ectopic tissue left that the ferret can function normally
within a short period of time after surgery. His response was
that due to the surgical techniques available these days, it
is very possible to get all of the adrenals and if you don't
get all of the adrenal tissue, it's possible for the problem
to come back anyway. Basically he feels that unless it is
necessary, you shouldn't mess with a normally functioning
gland.
My question is, how agressively should I pursue this? Is this
procedure becoming common practice? Are there any articles or
any "facts" that I can present him with? He is very open to
suggestions, but he does not feel comfortable with unneccesary
bilateral adrenalectomies. I just want the best for Molly,
and I know that he does too, so I'd like to get more
information on the subject before I proceed.
Thanks to all who contribute to this site!!
-Trina