From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2003-09-08 18:50:26 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Adrenalectomies
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Cc: filter_girl@lycos.com
Message-Id: <20030908145026.0121890f.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>
Hi, Amanda, and everyone else,
> 1. How old were your ferrets when their first adrenal surgery was
> done?
Anywhere between one and eight years old. Four of our ferrets have
never had adrenal disease and those ferrets are between five and nine
years old.
> 2. Did they end up having both removed?
Two did, four did not.
> If so, how soon after the first?
For Ryo-Ohki surgeries were about a year and a half apart. For Pertwee
there was just five weeks between surgeries.
> 3. Did you have them on medication after first surgeey like Lupron?
No.
> 4. Did all of their hair grow back, or just some?
All, although it took a very long time for Pertwee. I should point out
that Pertwee had multiple health problems, not just adrenal disease.
>
> I ask because although Ed is doing great, Only hair is growing back on
> his belly where they shoaved him for the surgery, and a little on his
> tail. Between his shoulders where he was thinning really bad is not
> coming in, nor is the hair on the underside of his tail.
Sometimes it takes until thenext coat change. A month after surgery
isn't long enough to judge.
> I also saw him mount my little girl last
> night, though I don''t know if this was an attempt at playing, or
> sexual aggression.
Unless it's a repeated problem it was probably play.
> I am
> worried that his right gland will become/is infected, though it looked
> fine during surgery. I am also worried that I jumped the gun on doing
> surgery, as I have heard from ferret shelter moms that surgery often
> leads to many other problems and shouldn't be done on a whim.
I agree. If he is growing hair back he probably is doing fine. I
certainly wouldn't rush into surgery based on what you posted. Our vet
is very cautious about second adrenal surgeries and only does them when
there are clear adrenal symptoms.
The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet and do not play one on TV.
I have seen way too much adrenal disease, though.
All the best,
Caity and the non-stop nine