From:
Jen & Andre
Date: 2002-02-10 21:53:00 UTC
Subject: Hyperadreno visible on rads?
We took our 7y/o female (Dobie) in to the vet tonight. She
showed sudden onset hind end weakness and lethargy (within 24
hours), and was having nonproductive vomiting fits
occasionally. Dobie was the first ferret the vet on call had
ever treated and there are no exotics specialists at the vet
school. When the Dr took Dob's temp some beige slime came out
of her rectum. It had the consistency of very thick eggwhite.
Before getting to the clinic, Dob's heart rate was 160 (went
back to normal (280) in the clinic) and CRT was >2 secs. Skin
pinch showed dehydration. MM's were pink, but nose was pale.
She has had a bald tail for most of her life, but hair loss
has not progressed past the base. BG was 3.2 (canadian
values). Rads did not indicate a blockage (although her belly
feels bloated). vulva normal (I thought about adrenal). The
rads showed a mass touching the left kidney. The fourth-year
on a radiology rotation said he was inclined to think the mass
might be an enlarged adrenal, but didn't think it would be
seen on a rad and that it may just as well be an intestine
loop.
They gave her karo syrup and put her on a dextrose IV (I
believe she added dextrose to the ringer solution). The doctor
was leaning toward insulinoma based on the BG.
Can an enlarged adrenal be seen on a VD rad? She'll be getting
an US done probably tomorrow and since ferrets are not
commonly seen at the teaching hospital, is there any advice
any of you might be able to give me?
Thank you,
Jen