From:
"DENNIS SITEK"
Date: 2003-11-10 02:58:33 UTC
Subject: adrenal disease in male ferret-prostate involvement
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <5324016.1068436153814.JavaMail.nobody@vanadium.smartgroups.com>
Subject: Male Ferret With Adrenal Disease I have some questions about my m=
ale ferret.Here is the background on him: He is a male, Path Valley Ferret=
, 6 1/2 years old. He presents with typical adrenal symptoms. They started=
about 3-4 months ago. He started with some minimal urinal dripping, dry c=
oat, and licking and cleaning (excessively) his female cage mates. After a=
bout a month, he began with thinning coat, progressing to hair lose on his =
body. He still had hair on all legs, tail, head and neck area. In Septemb=
er, I started him on 1 mg. of melatonin daily. Some hair thickened, althoug=
h no hair came back on his body-just his belly, and the thinned areas of hi=
s legs and neck. About a month ago he had some pus draining from his penis=
so I took him to my vet. He diagnosed Adrenal Disease with prostate invol=
vement. No tests were performed. He recommended surgery. We put him on Ba=
etryl for 2 weeks and the pus drainage has subsided.I have some serious con=
cerns about surgery for him at his age. I have done as much research on my=
options as I can and now I am turning to you for some answers I have been =
unable to find. I hope you can help.I read much about the new option of Pr=
opecia in males with prostate involvement. I know the dosage and how it wo=
rks and I am considering putting my Vladie on this medication-my vet is all=
for it. I also know Lupron is a choice, but the cost element is a concern.=
I have appointment with my vet on Thursday. We are going to take an X-ray =
to see if we can determine how large the prostate is and if there is any ot=
her things going on-we are also going to do a blood panel. He is very willi=
ng to work with me and do whatever you suggest.Here are my questions:1. =
How long does it take to see if the Propecia is working? We thought a fo=
llow up X-ray would be beneficial to see if the prostate is shrinking. Thu=
s, knowing the Propecia is working.2. Can I continue the Melatonin wit=
h Propecia?3. Do I have to use Lupron instead of Melatonin?4. Do =
I have to use either of these or should I just use Propecia?5. My vet =
seems to think I should only use the Lupron, but my research has showed tha=
t Melatonin or Lupron with Propecia is the recommended treatment.6. Ca=
n I double the Melatonin dosage to 2 mg, to see if I can get better results=
?7. Are there side effects to doubling the Melatonin? If so, what?8. =
Are there side effects to Propecia? If so, what?9. Are there side=
effects to Lupron? If so, what?Other than hair loss, and the enlarged pro=
state he is doing fine. He is happy, active, eating, drinking, and playing=
as a normal 6 =BD year old ferret.Any information you could give me would =
be greatly appreciated. I would like to make a decision at my vet appointm=
ent on Thursday if possible. If not, I will reschedule awaiting your reply=
. . Thank you,Cathy Sitek