From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2002-05-09 15:55:00 UTC
Subject: Re: VULVA QUESTION
Hi, Julie, and everyone else,
>
> I'm really just curious as to how if a sign of adrenal is a swollen
> vulva, does it go back in...
I'm not a vet, but I've seen more adrenal disease than I care to think
about.
A swollen vulva is a symptom of adrenal disease. It could also be a
uterine stump (improper spay). Since your girl has had an adrenal
surgery, it is likely that it is an adrenal issue. According to my vet
it sommetimes takes a while (a few months) for the vulva to go back to
normal. I experienced this with Romana. She had a somewhat swollen
vulva for six months after, but it's normal now.
If her vulva is hugely swollen (the size of a pencil eraser or larger)
and stays that way you may have something to worry about, like an
adrenal tumor in the other gland. If it's a minor amount of swelling
(as was the case with Romana after surgery) my vet recommended "watchful
waiting". If it had gotten really big again or stayed swollen much
longer he'd have done another surgery. Thankfully, that never happened.
If worst comes to worst and she does have a second adrenal tumor that
isn't the end of the world either. My Pertwee (almost four year old
male) had his second adrenal surgery two years ago and he's still
bouncing off the walls and running around like a kit. He needs
medication every day for the rest of his life, but there is every reason
to believe he will lead a full and happy life. Just make sure your vet
uses a procedure that fully removes the right gland if that is the one
that's involved. You don't want to have to go in a third time.
> She's really always had funny poop.
I've never heard of that being related to adrenal disease. It's
probably another issue.
> I'll probably
> just bring in a stool sample to the vet to make sure she's alright on
> the inside.
The cost of a vet visit is always a good investment, even if it only
gives you peace of mind. Better safe than sorry.
Good luck to you and to Snowball!
All the best,
Caity