Message Number: YG8244 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Joanne D'Amico
Date: 2001-10-28 15:18:00 UTC
Subject: Need input on Post-Op Ferret (Adrenal)

As I have mentioned, I have had several ferrets (9) undergo adrenal
surgery. However, my most recent experience is atypical, and I would
appreciate some input. Sugar, my 5 year old REW female started losing
fur rapidly and dramatically (lost at least half of her fur in a two
week period), exhibited a swollen vulva and two swollen rear teats,
became very aggressive toward the other ferrets. She has always been a
very laid back, very sweet, happy-go-lucky party girl type.

My vet administered a dose of 1-month lupron, and a week later (Sept.
14) did the surgery - both glands were affected and had to be removed,
but the surgery went well, with a smooth, uneventful post-op recovery.
The vet started her on the Pred and Florinef protocol. The biopsies came
back "adenoma".

Six weeks later, all the other fuzzies are showing the usual seasonal
coat changes and fur regrowth, but she is still nearly bald - no sign of
fur regrowth. She is still very aggressive toward all other ferrets,
even her sister (who she has always groomed and mothered), and still has
two swollen teats. Last year my oldest male, Dudley, (age 7 or so), also
had a bilateral adrenalectomy - he also had a sudden, dramatic hair
loss, losing most of his fur in a three week period. His surgery was
difficult, with the right adrenal growing into the liver, and part of
the lobe had to be removed. He needed a transfusion, took weeks to
recover. Yet he regrew his fur unbelievably fast, and the others have
regrown theirs during the usual twice yearly coat changes - so I don't
know what to do - wait, send off a Tennessee panel, go for Lupron, or
what ... One thought is that she may have ectopic adrenal tissue. The
vet is leaning towards waiting a while, since it has only been 6 weeks,
but I am concerned she may end up permanently bald ... any suggestions,
experiences ? Thanks.