From:
Caitlyn M. Martin
Date: 2001-11-06 22:19:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Addisons
Hi, Tiffany, and everyone else,
OK, I'm not a vet, but I've been through an Addisonian crisis with Pertwee, so
I can speak from my personal experience. If you ever suspect your ferret is
going into an Addisonian crisis you need to get him to an experienced ferret
vet immediately.
> I tried to look up what I could about Addison's. Didn't find much. What is
> it, what does it do?
The adrenal glands produce hormones that, among other things, regulate
electrolyte levels. If the electrolytes get too far out of balance an
Addisonian crisis results.
> I read of some putting their kids on meds after both
> adrenals were removed. Is this lifelong?
Absolutely. What you are doing is, in effect, hormone replacement therapy.
Without those hormones a ferret with no adrenal glands left can die.
> Is Addisons life threatening?
Very much so. A ferret in Addisonian crisis won't live long at all without
immediate medical attention. The vet who treated Pertwee had real doubts that
he could pull him through. Thankfully, he did.
> And, I
> didn't think cryo took the whole gland. Am I wrong?
Cryo kills tissue by freezing it. It can be used to remove the entire adrenal
gland. Although my vet did the more conventional surgical procedure and
ligated the vena cava to get Pertwee's right adrenal gland, my understanding is
that whether cryo is used or not, generally the entire gland is taken.
> One of my kids will be
> having surgery for insulinoma soon. He has very slight symptoms of adrenal,
> area where he was shaved for last bloodwork 2 months ago has only grown back
> slightly and after his surgery to remove his left adrenal, he became a little
> more aggressive.
I don't know if that is indicative of adrenal. The good thing is that when
your little one has his surgery the vet can take a good look at the right
adrenal gland. If there is a tumor it can be removed at that time and your
ferret will only have to endure surgery the once.
Even if it turns out that he has adrenal disease again, and even if the entire
right gland is removed, your fert can live many happy and healthy years
provided he gets the medication he needs. Pertwee is doing brilliantly a year
and a half after his second adrenal surgery.
Good luck!
Caity and the terrific 10