From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2002-01-11 10:35:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Adrenal Disease
Hi, Charissa,
I am definitely not a vet, but I've had half a dozen ferrets display
adrenal symptoms, so I know what my vet does.
>
> I get the impression from Dr. Bruce William's writings on
> FerretCentral that he recommends surgery for ferrets that show
> any symptoms of adrenal disease (patterned hair loss, agression,
> and vulvar swelling).
My vet certainly does surgery with those symptoms if they are
significant. He believes that the only cure is surgery. Of course, in
older ferrets with compromised systems he may well go with medication
rather than surgery.
> Does this mean pre-op ultra-sounds and extra
> blood work is not necessary?
My vet doesn't do the ultrasound. He feels that if the symptoms are
clear it's just a waste of money, and doesn't always clearly show
whether or not a ferret has adrenal. He *does* do blood work before any
surgery to make sure nothing else is wrong that could jeopardize the
fert's chances of coming through the surgery successfully. He generally
does not trust the Tennessee panel, though. Almost all results come
back as "possible adrenal", and he says he knew that much already.
All my ferrets have come through surgery well, and all are still here as
much as two years later, so I trust my vet and believe he's highly
qualified.
Good luck!
Caity and the terrific 10