From:
lshoup@mtso.edu
Date: 2003-04-20 22:49:13 UTC
Subject: A hard decision Monday
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <10004632.1050878953449.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Last year in October I had surgery done to remove a second adrenal tumor on Shadow. The surgery went well, but when she came home she was going through kidney failure and we had to put her asleep. We tried two blood transfusions, and though both were successful, Shadow's kidney values were never coming down. She was 5 years old. If it is any consolation, the first adrenal removed was very successful and Shadow recovered quickly.
Now I face another adrenal case in my household of ferrets. I do not know if we should try the surgery again or if we should put him on Lupron. He is a 4 year old albino, and we know that Lupron is not a "cure," but surgery seems risky as well. He is acting normal, except he just seems irritated by the excessive grooming and hair loss. I know someone has probably posted information before on Lupron versus surgery, and if that is the case please point me to the post. Otherwise, maybe someone can help me evaluate the pro's and con's of surgical therapy versus Lupron.