From:
sukiec@optonline.com
Date: 2003-01-08 19:57:11 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Digest 8 Jan 2003 00:44:59 -0000 Issue 198
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <12482134.1042055831767.JavaMail.root@scandium>
> Can you tell us what are all the possible symptoms of Adrenal Disease?
In about 2 decades here at home we've had ferrets whow turned out to have adrenal disease who had NO symtoms and had it found on necropsy, we've had one who had what looked like the classic fur loss but did not have adrnal disease (very unusual), and we have one who has lousy follicles in the area where she lost fur before she had both adrenals removed cleanly who at ttimes will will lose fur in the same place under serious stress and who took a year and a half to regrow fur after she had her adrenal surgery (also unusual).
Okay, here are at least some and I am sure that others will mention more but remember that the expression of any of these is variable among individuals:
Bilteral (both sides of the body) fur loss ANYWHERE on the trunk, limbs, or head. Tail fur loss can be for other reasons, too, but loss in non-tail locations is much more likley to be from adrenal neoplasia. There are some places which are more common locations for such fur loss, and those include over the sacrum (lower back, top of the head, top of the feet, etc.
Unusual fat deposition for the ferret's age. This can include developing a pear shape, or laying down fat in other places where it is not the norm for the ferret's condition otherwise, even fat inside the thoracic cavity can happen though it's rare.
Itchy skin, sometimes with sores or bruising.
Difficulty urinating. For females and males urinary infections are more common, but for males it gets a lot worse since the prostate can often become inflammed due to the hormonal changes by the adrenal and it IS possible (and we have had one do it) for a male ferret who otherwise has no symptoms to suddenly one day be totally unable to urinate and require emergency intervention.
Swollen vulva in females, vaginal infection in females, resulting inflammation of a uterine stump in females.
Anemia. Like the blocked urinary tract this is a dangerous and potentially fatal complication requires emergecy care to have a chance.
Behavioral changes. These can vary among individuals. Some display sexual behavior or are the recipients of sexual displays. Some begin mothering and grooming others (including humans or parts of humans such as toes) to a degree which is unusual for that individual. We've got one who insiisted on repeatedly urinating on the head, neck and shoulders of our youngest ferret evey time her's kicked up but never any other time.
Hope that helps!