Message Number: SG4326 | New FHL Archives Search
From: gingerexpress
Date: 2003-05-02 21:53:22 UTC
Subject: Can anyone give me some imput on my fuzzy here in B.C
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-id: <001001c310f5$40975f80$e9d85418@ca.shawcable.net>

Hi there I was recommended to this site by a few different sources. I have a 2 year old ferret named Ginger. Ginger was supposedly diagnosed with asthma when she was 3 month old. Even though I am aware that no case of a ferret with asthma has been recorded in ferret literature to date this is what I was told and she has been on medication since. Her "asthma" has been kept under control by Vanectyl P tabs and 5mg of Theorphylline La every 12 hours. At the age of 2 now I have noticed that Ginger is loosing here hair. I read "Ferrets Magazine" ( a great magazine) all the time and make a point of keeping my self up to date with any information on ferrets I can. Once I noticed this baldness between her shoulder I figured adrenal gland disease right away so off to the vet we went. The vet agreed that adrenal gland disease is on of the main causes of fuzzy hair loss and after doing some blood work we decided to give Ginger a shot of Leuprolide acetate. Its been one month now and m
wn back. Can anyone tell me is there a 100% sure way to test a ferret to know whether or not it actually does have adrenal gland disease. As I said blood work was done on my ferret and her liver enzymes seemed high and here immune system seemed low. The vet said this could have to do with the meds she's on in regards to her " asthma". My biggest problem is that I live in Prince George B.C Canada and no one in this town wants to do such surgery on my ferret even if she does have adrenal gland disease. I was also told by other specialist (in the U.S by eamails) that not all ferrets respond to leuprolide shots so im left with no option other then surgery but I don't know of anyone close by that I would feel comfortable bringing my fuzzy into. Can anyone help me and my beloved ferret by telling me 1) is there any way to know for sure if she has adrenal gland disease (she has no advanced signs yet such as swelling of the vulva or aggressive behaviour) and 2nd) Who is the closest Vet in B.
ould be trusted to do this surgery cause the shots are not working. The closest specialist to me is in Seattle and this is not very close at all... I cant afford to go to the States there must be Vets south of me that can perform this common surgery. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Sincerely A. Macrae.