Message Number: YG13550 | New FHL Archives Search
From: nzweezul
Date: 2002-06-04 14:26:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Please help with advice and personal experience

> I posting to ask for your help with my Yoda, 8 y/o (in July) MF

have you had urinalysis done? That would be my first action with
anyone found peeing more frequently than usual ( but I am a human
medic, not a vet). There could be a mild urinary infection present
causing irritation and hence frequent urination. I have never had any
experience with insulinomas or adrenals or IBD or anything like that
but I *do* have experience with older ferrets. When I was a child,
the old retired hunters were the only ones I ever got to spend any
time with, and I have a special affection for the old boys who
as "thanks" for a hard life of working and breeding, were castrated
at the age of five or so and handed over to a horrible child ( me)
who would dress them up and wheel them about in the dolly's pram ...
mind you they got to eat roast beef and egg custards, too, which they
probably appreciated after a life spent eating green tripe, brains
and lights!
I still like the old boys. Right - peeing more frequently than usual -
in an old boy ( and eight IS old - I am prepared for any eight year
old of mine to be dead tomorrow) could be lots of nasty things OR it
could just be reduced muscle tone and/or a cold floor ... mine pee
more frequently in winter, definitely, or when playing on a cold
polished floor. They also pee more frequently when they are
overweight, or when they have been playing energetically, or if I
wake them up from their sleep. They seem to be able to hold their
bladder for hours and hours while sleeping but they HAVE TO GO the
minute they wake up, whether you woke them 20 minutes or three hours
ago.
The Ultrasound should show if there is any mass pressing on the
bladder reducing its capacity. Good luck.