From:
katharine@nettally.com
Date: 2001-10-24 01:57:00 UTC
Subject: Adrenal & Lupron
The time has just about arrived to make a decision about Cedes. He
had a bilateral adrenalectomy the end of July. His fur is NOT
growing back in. He is pretty bald up to his neck. There is fur
there but you can see his skin all the way up. It hasn't grown back
at his surgical site either.
I have looked through the archives about Lupron. Other than making
them feel a little better (I can't tell that he feels bad), what does
it really accomplish? From what I've read, it doesn't shrink the
tumor, if there is one. In fact, it also doesn't prevent it from
growing. So, other than cosmetics (fur growing back in), does it
really DO anything????
I think we will run the UT panel in his case just to make sure that's
the reason his fur isn't growing back but I'm in a quandry about what
to do next. BTW, his electrolytes tested just fine so I'm leaning
toward some residual tissue in there. What does this tissue do?
What problems can it cause (other than naked babies)??
As for melatonin, I work full-time so I wouldn't be able to give it
at the proper time, so that's out.
Any and all suggestions are welcome. I just really, really don't
understand the point in Lupron. If appearance isn't an issue (though
I feel sorry for him with his naked body and winter coming), should I
just leave well enough alone after confirming the diagnosis through
the UT panel? Or will the Lupron actually help him?
Another surgery is out of the question. Cedes is probably nearly 8
y.o. and though he went through the surgery in July just fine I will
not subject him to another one.
BTW, I read an AP article recently that said that women who work the
night shift (under artificial light, for long periods of time) are
more prone to breast cancer. Melatonin is produced at night and
their bodies are fooled into thinking there is no night, thus
melatonin isn't produced as it should be. Apparently working during
the day and sleeping at night provides the right circumstances for
our bodies to produce the melatonin it needs. Was trying to
extrapolate this to our ferrets and their incidences of adrenal
disease.
Sorry I'm so anal about all of this but....that's just how I am.
Katharine