From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2002-12-30 03:48:33 UTC
Subject: RE: Help for Adrenal Ferret ~ Vet Attention
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <22808841.1041220113925.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Dear Mary: As you have asked for vet attention, I'll simply second what our some of our wise members have already said.
Surgery is always a better and often more cost-effective option. Lupron antagonizes the production of sex hormones from the adrenals of ferrets by interrupting the pituitary glands "call" for them. However, while it may decrease the levels of hormones produced, it doesn't slow the growth of tumors, or have any effect on a number of other side effects of adrenal disease. To date, the best way is still to remove the oversecreting gland.
The tumor on the end of the tail is likely indeed a chordoma, and there is informaiton on chordomas on my site, as well as some pictures. Amputation is recommended, and curative.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
Author wrote:
> We just found out tonight that one of our Ferrets is adrenal, he's between 5
> and 6 years of age, in good health, and we're wondering what would be the
> best option for him?
> In the long run, would Lupron be a better choice than surgery, or would
> surgery be better than long term Lupron injections?
> What exactly does the Lupron do to suppress the effects of being adrenal?
> Also, he has developed a tumor on the end of his tail, could this be due to
> the adrenal disease or something else? We first started noticing it on him
> when he started displaying the systems of adrenal disease and were wondering
> if anyone has had the same condition arise when their ferret became adrenal?
> Mare
> Keeper of the 7 Fuzz Kids
> who are keepers of the shotguns!
> Clyde, Bonnie, Bear, Memers, Stinky, Wiley
> & our newest rescue: Tweeky
> Rainbow Bridge Baby's: Boozer 09-28-02