From:
deb.utter@pminsco.com
Date: 2002-10-10 17:21:56 UTC
Subject: Adrenal post-op; prostrate/UTI problem
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <21743891.1034270516451.JavaMail.root@scandium>
I have a 6yo male ferret that had adrenal surgery in June. His left adrenal was removed, as well as part of the right adrenal. He also had his spleen removed because there was about a 1" growth on it. At the time of surgery, he was probably 80% hairless - no hair on his entire trunk and tail, but head and legs still had a good amount of hair, although thinning. You could hardly see his blaze.
Four months post-op, he is now almost completely hairless. He has never seemed to be his old self - doesn't seem as active or playful, and sleeps more. He's never been put on any meds, and I'm wondering if he needs to be. Is his continued hair shedding an indication that the remaining partial adrenal is a problem and he needs to be on meds to control symptoms? The vet who did the surgery recommended going the medical route rather than additional surgery.
There's now a new concern, in that he seems to be slightly uncomfortable when he urinates. He urinates a good amount, but I noticed that his penis seems to be receding into his belly, and the row of nipples on each side are swollen under the skin - small bumps, and some bumps appear to be blue/gray in color. Would this indicate a prostrate blockage/infection or UTI...or something else?
He has an appointment Friday afternoon but I'd appreciate any tips/ideas on what we may be looking at, both with the prostrate problem and the continued hairloss/lack of energy. Further surgery would be a problem for him, as the vet who performed the adrenal surgery said his recovery, although okay, took longer than normal. He has also had such a bad reaction (twice) to distemper shots that it's been recommended he not be vaccinated for distemper anymore. I guess I'm sharing this information in case it has any bearing on methods of treatment for whatever this might be.