Message Number: YG12249 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2002-04-03 21:48:00 UTC
Subject: Adrenal surgery and older ferrets

Hi, everyone,

I promised, when I posted the other day in response to a woman with a
seven year old adrenal girl, that I would report back with my vet's take
on surgery on a ferret that age.

One of my old guys, Podo, is somewhere around 7½ to 8 years old. He was
a rescue and we only have partial records, so we can't be exactly sure.
We're sure he can't be younger than that, but he could be a little
older. Podo has clear adrenal symptoms: hair loss starting at the base
of the tail and spreading up his back, itchiness, and aggressiveness.
My vet examined him today and his prostate is enlarged as well. All of
this developed very quickly, and my vet feels treatment should be sooner
rather than later. We discussed lupron and surgery as options.

My vet, after the examination, feels that Podo is stronger than many
younger ferrets he's done surgery on, and that surgery is indeed the
best option for him. He's a very experienced ferret vet who's worked
wonders in the past so I am trusting his judgement. Podo will have
surgery next Tuesday.

So... seven is definitely not too old in my vet's opinion. My vet is
certainly upbeat about Podo's prognosis at this point. I should note
that Podo has no history of any major health problems and appears, apart
from an adrenal tumor, to be quite healthy.

If y'all want, I can post after Podo's surgery and during his recovery.

All the best,
Caity