Message Number: YG14001 | New FHL Archives Search
From: ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2002-06-19 15:37:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Digest Number 784

In a message dated 06/19/02 6:49:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com writes:



I described my girls symptoms ( swollen vulva - increasingly
swollen
over a month, itchiness, demanding licking behaviour ) his
response? "Swollen vulva? Thats all? Why do you want to do
surgery?
Sometimes thats seasonal." Seasonal? I have never read anything
about seasonal vulvular swelling.


Nor have I. A swollen vulva in a spayed female ferret sets off two
possibilities for me - either there is ectopic ovarian tissue
present, or the more likely possibility, the ferret has adrenal
disease. Add in the itchiness and change in behavior, even without
hair loss, and adrenal disease is absolutely the thing highest on my
mind. Consider talking to a different vet - I know that this one
came recommended and is a distance away, but a second opinion is
always appropriate if you are not convinced of the diagnosis.

Dr. Ruth
*****************************************
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