From:
Susan
Date: 2002-07-20 11:23:08 UTC
Subject: retained testicle?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3D39481B.CAFD318C@fuse.net>
> He was turned over because he became too aggresive with the owners
> petite female. I immediately noticed that he had the slight odor and
> greasy haircoat of a male coming into season. There are no testicles
> present.
>If he came from a breeder who did not neuter, and there
>is no history - usually I recommend just going in - testes are not
difficult
>to ind if they are there - they eaither are underneath the skin of the
fold
>of the hind leg, or retained in the abdomen. Not much of a trick. You
can
>certainly run a Tennessee panel to see if there is testosterone
present, if
>you want, but lets do a little detective work first.
I have a ferret that is acting the exact same way. I just assumed he
had a strong odor and greasy feel becuase he was probably not
descented. He does not have the Marshall tattoos, and he is 3.5 puonds
(huge to me). So I assumed he was a "retired" breeder and maybe retired
breeders were just neutered but not descented. I'm guesstimating his age
to be 1-2 years old.
He does not have testicles "outside his body" so I assumed he was
neutered. I've seen whole males; you can tell they're whole. So is it
possible Bubba is still whole? I've just never heard of testicles inside
the body. So it's possible Bubba could be "whole", but the testicles
are inside instead of outside? Penis-wise, he is just like my neutered
ferrets. I mean, if he is whole, wouldn't there be more of a penis?
And I don't think Bubba's odor is as strong as a whole ferret, but he
definitely has a strong oder that none of my other ferrets have.
He is due for his next vaccine this week. I want to ask my vet about
this but I wuold like to understand first so I appear to know what I'm
talking about. : )
I have no history on Bubba; he was a surrender to the county shelter.
Thanks
Susan