From:
sukiecrandall@telocity.com
Date: 2001-10-21 07:44:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Question about adrenal...
Excellent advice and pointers, as were in Mike's post, too.
Also, increasing pear shape (which also happens with age),
more tendency toward bladder infections, and in male (though
she asked about a female) possible sudden inability to urinate
(emergency situation requiring immediate vet help) or difficulty
urinating. Have seen a female who kept having vaginal
infections related to adrenal disease. Skin can get worse. Have
a weird one who insists on urinating on the head and shoulders
of our youngest one when she has an adrenal up so we always
know for sure with her. (L out, R partial due to invasion of Vena
Cava rather than just surrounding it, but insufficient collateral
circulation to make a ligation very survivable. If she goes up too
rapidly next time she will be on Lupron but if it happens slowly
she'll be openned again to see if ligation makes sense that
time.)
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Caitlyn M. Martin"
<caitlynmaire@e...> wrote:
> Hi, Colleen,
>
> The usual "I am not a vet" disclaimer applies, though I've seen
more than my
> share of adrenal.
>
> > I have 4 ferrets, one of which has always been tiny since the
day i brought
> > her home. she is about 2 years old if not a little bit younger
and it very
> > playful and eats and goes to the bathroom alright. what i
have noticed is
> > that the hair on her tail seems a little thin. i don't know if
she's losing
> > the hair or if it has always been like this and i'm paranoid
after reading
> > all the posts about adrenal.
>
> Don't be paranoid. Of course, it is possible that this is the
beginning of
> adrenal, but it is even more likely that this is part of her
seasonal coat
> change or else some sort of skin problem.
>
> > is it possible that because she is still the
> > skinniest out of all the ferrets and smallest that the hair is
just thin?
>
> That, in and of itself, shouldn't make a difference. My Romana
is under a
> pound in the summer (around 400 grams) and has plenty of
hair.
>
> > does adrenal progress fast
>
> My experience tells me that depends on the fert. Sometimes
yes, more often no.
>
> > and what else should i look for?
>
> More hair loss up on her body (tummy, back, sides), weight
loss,
> aggressiveness, and a swollen vulva. When the vulva swells
my vet believes
> it's definitely time for surgery. If she starts losing weight when
she should
> be gaining at this time of year, that, combined with hair loss,
would be pretty
> indicative.
>
> > she's acting
> > perfectly normal and has always been skinny and still eating
right.
>
> I've been through adrenal seven times (in six ferts) and have
never seen it
> affect their appetite unless there was another medical
problem. Some of mine
> never showed any aggressiveness either and acted the way
they always do. Just
> look for the stuff on the list above.
>
> The main thing right now is to watch and wait. A vet check
wouldn't hurt for
> your piece of mind. There is a really, really good chance that
your little one
> does *not* have adrenal.
>
> All the best,
> Caity and the terrific 10