From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2002-01-18 15:30:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Bi-lateral Adrenalectomy -
Addison's?
Hi, Fran, and everyone else,
The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet, but I have three
bilateral ferrets in my business, one of which (Pertwee) is approaching
two years without any adrenal glands. I also probably drive my vet nuts
with questions, and I've seen what can go wrong, so...
A ferret completely without adrenal glands needs to be on hormone
replacement therapy for the rest of their life. Without that,
surgically induced Addison's Disease sets in, and this can be fatal. It
should be noted that this is true only if both glands are completely
removed, not debulked.
The normal treatment for bilateral ferrets is daily doses of prednisone
and fludrocortisone (florinef). In some high metabolism ferrets it is
necessary to divide the dosage in half and give the meds twice a day to
insure that they don't start feeling badly before the next dosage. This
works well for most ferts.
A very few ferrets (my Pertwee and Ryo-Ohki are two) don't respond well
to prednisone. In that case dexamethasone can be substituted. Pertwee
is doing very well on florinef and dexamethasone, and he's still my
highest energy fert.
If a bilateral ferret with no ectopic or remaining adrenal tissue is not
treated in this way you may well see an Addisonian Crisis. This is when
things turn dangerous. The low energy you report is one of the symptoms
of a ferret going Addisonian. Another is shivering: they can't control
their body temperature. Pertwee actually collapsed.
So... will Meeko be on pred the rest of her life? My guess would be
yes. The only test I know of for surgically induced Addison's Disease
is to do blood work and check electrolytes. If they are out of balance
your vet will adjust (or, if necessary, change) her medication to get
them back to normal values.
Anyway, that's my experience.
All the best,
Caity