Message Number: YG8004 | New FHL Archives Search
From: sukiecrandall@telocity.com
Date: 2001-10-19 13:21:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Addison's in ferrets?

I have NOT heard of many vets at all taking both adrenals when
there isn't cause; in fact, I think I've possible heard of only one
mentioned as doing that regularly.

Addison's is no fun. When the meds work that is marvelous, but
not all ferrets do well on the meds so removing both if that isn't
needed could prove to be a death sentence.

Right now we've got one here who is on Florinef and Pediapred
twice a day. The first is easy to get into her, but the second is not
appreciated. She personally thrives on them, but as I said, we
do read on and off here about ones who will tolerate one med
but not another or for whom the medical options just don't seem
to do the trick.

Sounds like your vet is using good common sense to me!

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."



--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Trina" <tridixon@h...> wrote:
> 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