From:
sukiecrandall@telocity.com
Date: 2001-11-10 18:42:00 UTC
Subject: Re: penile problem
Here are segments from some earlier posts to the FHL which
may help you. You can see the full letters at their numbers in the
FHL Messages section. Stopped going back once things began
repeating themselves in June but you can find others before
then, and also see: 3363, 4217, 4232, 4264, 4477, 4818, 5047,
5495, 5523, 5638. In your cause I'd also suggest a search on
"prepuce" , "preputial", and "penis" or "penile".
Message 6474 of 8592
In addition to testing for ADV, I would suggest running a
Tenn panel to test for adrenal gland disease.
Hair loss, return of sexual behavior/ aggressive behavior, and
frequent urination are all common signs of adrenal gland
disease.
Bladder abnormalities can also be from adrenal gland disease.
Prostate problems can also be from adrenal gland disease.
This
can cause frequent urination and bacteria in the urine too.
Jerry Murray, DVM
------------
Message 6015 of 8592
The preputial mass should also be removed ASAP - the chance
of a
malignancy is higher here than in any other place on the male's
skin,
and the earlier removed, the better. Don't delay surgery for
results
on the blood - pull it on the way to surgery.
I would be interested in reviewing the tissues (especially the
testis) at no charge, of course. Testicular tumors are not very
common and I am always interested in adding another one to
the
archive.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
-----------
Message 5626 of 8592
No, old age is not a disease. However as ferrets get
older they are prone to 3 big problems. At roughly 3-4 years
of age, we start to see adrenal gland disease problems.
The thin hair on the tail and rump are suggestive of adrenal
gland
problems in Glacier. As they reach 4-5 years of age, we start
seeing
insulinoma problems. The weight lose, and weakness in the
rear legs
are suggestive of an insulinoma causing low blood sugar levels
(hypo-
glycemia). As they reach 5 and above, we start seeing
lymphoma
problems. Again the weight lose and weakness in the rear legs
could
be from lymphoma. ...
I would also start treating
his adrenal gland problem with Lupron (or melatonin). Many
times
adrenal gland disease will make a ferret lethargic and cause
some
muscle loss. Plus in males, adrenal gland problems can cause
an
enlarged prostate problem that can prevent him from urinating.
This
is painful and can be fatal. Better to prevent than to treat a
prostate
problem!
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM
PS yes, the age ranges are just general guidelines. Ferrets
of any age can get lymphoma and young ferrets can have
adrenal gland and insulinoma problems too.
-------
Message 4059 of 8592
Sounds like you are describing an enlarged prostate
secondary to an adrenal gland problem. The Lupron depot
will help lower the adrenal hormones that are causing the
enlarged prostate. Propecia can also be used to help shrink
the prostate (ie. use both Lupron and Propecia). Flutamide
can also be used to shrink the prostate, but Propecia is more
specific in its mode of action and effects on the prostate.
The infection can either be a simple bladder infection or a
prostate
infection.
A prostate infection needs to be treated for a long time (1-3
months).
I would use the culture and sensitivity report from the urine
sample
to determine which antibiotic(s) to use and use it for a long time!
Yes, an urethra obstruction from the enlarged prostate will cause
the BUN and Creatinine levels to be elevated (post renal
azotemia)
and that sounds like what was going on with Oliver.
Prostate problems are frustrating but hang in there. Most will
respond to Lupron, Propecia, and antibiotics (Baytril, Clavamox,
etc.).
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM
-----------------
Message 3295 of 8592
Hopefully this time it will actually make to the list.
More info on Propecia and Proscar.
They both contain finasteride. Propecia has 1mg and Proscar
has 5 mg. The same thing just different amounts of finasteride.
Why does a prostate become enlarged?
In the prostate testosterone is converted into
dihydrotestosterone
(DHT). DHT is the major androgen of the prostate. DHT is the
key
hormone stimulating the enlarged of the prostate. Estradiol,
testosterone,
and other growth factors are also involved, but DHT is the key
one.
Propecia/Proscar blocks the enzyme that converts testosterone
into
that bad DHT. This lowers the DHT level in the serum and in the
prostate
which causes the prostate to decrease in size. DHT also effects
the liver
and causes hair lose (male pattern baldness). That is why
Propecia
is marketed for hair loss in humans, while Proscar is marketed
for
prostatic enlargement (BPH) in humans.
There is a good article about using Propecia/Proscar in dogs for
prostatic enlargement in the April 15, 2001, issue of JAVMA.
Again I recommend using it with Lupron. Lupron to control the
adrenal gland hormones, and Propecia to control DHT and the
prostate
in those cases with prostatic enlargement.
I hope that answers your questions,
Jerry Murray, DVM