From:
kazpat1@juno.com
Date: 2003-05-06 15:34:33 UTC
Subject: in hopes that it is not serious
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20030506.083532.517.75275@webmail08.lax.untd.com>
You are describing classic adrenal disease. The outward signs
of hair loss can cycle and regrow, just to be lost again with
the next shed cycle. Inside the adrenal gland is still diseased,
and over time can become more complicated for removal.
Recurrent infections, in a male, I would assume related to
the urine and is a direct cause of the enlarged adrenals producing
too much sex hormones (mostly estrogen). Lack of energy fits too,
but it is not uncommon to also see insulinoma and adrenal together.
The insulinoma produces too much insulin making low blood sugars.
A blood test to check the blood sugar can diagnose this one.
But diagnosing adrenal disease is usually by symptoms.
The treatment preferred is surgery to remove the affected glands,
and at the same time check out the pancreas for insulinoma.
The earlier the better. If not an option, then there are medical
options. If your vet is not familar with these conditions, and not
doing the surgery a few times a year at the least, then find another
vet, or ask for a referral to a vet in your area.
4 years old is not old in ferret world, just midlife.
I have active ferrets up to 7 ( that is my oldest), those not
active were either with one of the above problems or one had lymphoma.
Once the problem was addressed the ferret returned to normal activity.
Check out the files section here, and the archives, there is tons
of info. For your vet you can print info from Dr. WIlliams site
at the AFIP and Dr. Weiss' site at www.ferretdoctor.com
Good luck,
Patty
--- namelessboi@yahoo.com wrote:
.
i don't expect an immediate response, however i would be appreciative of any information/assurances that can be provided. it very well may be the case that he is simply an older ferret and is showing his age.
-k***.
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End of ferrethealth Digest
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