From:
caitlynmaire@earthlink.net
Date: 2002-05-29 18:57:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Mystik surgery
Hi,
I am not a vet, but I am dealing with or have dealt with a lot of the
issues you are facing.
> She most likely has adrenal gland tumors as well as insulinoma since
> she has erratic blood sugar levels and surgery is really the only
> option for those things. The vet recommends it over all.
I'm pretty sure my vet would agree with yours.
> Taking her home and medicating
> her I do not think would be a good option.
If she has adrenal surgery is the only cure. Medication only masks
symptoms. Insulinoma surgery can buy a ferret anywhere from a few
months to a couple of years symptom free. My Ker Avon is going for
insulinoma surgery on Tuesday and he had adrenal surgery two and a half
years ago, if that gives you any idea of how my vet proceeds.
> I am trying to be optimistic about
> the surgery.
That's a good thing. I am frequently amazed how quickly and strongly
ferts can bounce back from major surgery.
> When ultra sound was done on her abdomen the vet did not find
> any tumors, which can really only be good. There is still a chance she
> could have a lot of inoperable tumors, though, I really don't know how
> likely that is.
There really is no way to tell. After Ryo-Ohki's second adrenal
surgery, and after we had her electrolytes in balance, she continued to
go downhill. When things got really bad my vet had an ultrasound done.
Everything was normal. A week later he did an exploratory in
desperation and advised us not to let her wake up. There were tumors
everywhere. I am *NOT* saying that is at all likely, but what I am
saying is that a negative ultrasound doesn't tell you anything one way
or another.
> I am hoping that things will go well because things have been looking
> up for her. Although with surgery things can never be sure, I know.
Adrenal and insulinoma surgeries together are not all that uncommon, and
I know that a good ferret vet/surgeon can do wonders. I've seen it.
No, nothing is sure, but if you have a lot of confidence in your vet (as
I do) you should be comfortable with your decision. You are doing what
is most likely to be best for Mystik.
>
> I will do my best to get Meeko into the vet soon whenever that is
> possible. He has thinning hair on his belly and chest, rather than the
> classic sign above his tail.
There is no set pattern to adrenal hair loss. Both Pertwee and Ker Avon
lost their hair on the belly first, and then up the chest. Romana never
lost any hair at all but had a large left adrenal carcinoma.
> Although he does have a bit of hair loss there and his tail
> is completely naked. The last time I took him into the vet he just
> said to give him Ferretone basically and that we had to wait some as
> the only way to diagnose adrenal problems is with surgery.
There are other ways, such as the Tennessee Panel, but they aren't fool
proof at all.
> Maybe it is just my imagination he has trouble going to the bathroom.
> When he urinates he will do it in little amounts and go several
> different times rather frequently and sometimes it takes him a bit to
> do it.
This indicates an enlarged prostate and can proceed to a life
threatening condition very quickly if his ability to urinate becomes
completely blocked. When my vet determined that Podo had an enlarged
prostate he did surgery ASAP. Waiting under those circumstances is a
*very* bad idea, IMHO. Your vet should be able to palpitate the
prostate and determine if it is enlarged. If so, Meeko needs surgery as
soon as you can arrange it. For his sake, if your vet decides this is
the case, please don't wait.
> Most likely conclude he has adrenal from his
> symptoms, since he seems to have a lot and his hair loss has been
> going around for a while. Meeko has had surgery for a mass cell tumor
> on his back and it didn't faze him at all. So I'm assuming since he is
> in very good condition if he has another (even though more serious)
> surgery he will be all right.
As you said, there are no guarantees. I have watched the results of
eight different adrenal surgeries on six different ferrets in our
business. Their ages at the time of surgery ranged from one to seven
and a half. All came through surgery just fine. Assuming your vet is
experienced with adrenal surgeries you have every reason to expect Meeko
will be fine.
Good luck. I know this is a difficult time for you. I have two going
in for surgery here (both insulinoma) so I know how you feel right now.
All the best,
Caity and the notorious nine