Message Number: SG6772 | New FHL Archives Search
From: linsto@hotmail.com
Date: 2003-11-29 04:53:30 UTC
Subject: I think Adrenal is coming back ...
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4105664.1070081610664.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

I'm so worried ... so sad ... for my little boy ...

Remember the story ... Cookie had an Adrenal gland surgery on
August 06 ... His left gland was removed ... all other organs were OK. The tumor's size was like "your little finger tip"
the vet said to me.

Since then, I'm always worried ... I just don't know ...
Over here (Prov.of Quebec, Canada) vets are not specialized in ferrets ... I only have 3 clinics if Cookie needs surgery ...
The vet who did his surgery last summer, didn't made a biopsy of the tumor ... He said to me ... it's not necessary ... results
are always the same ... not malignant tumors (never had a case). He's a great "exotic animals" vet with a very good reputation,
so ... He said it was very expensive too near 300$(US). He also
said that if the right gland is involved ... he just doesn't touch it ... he just told us he didn't had great success ...
so, he put the ferret on Lupron.

Now with tears again in my eyes ... I'm asking you ...
what you think of :

06 August 2003 = Adrenal gland surgery ... left gland removed, all other organs OK.

And 3 months later = Since the beginning of November 2003 =

--- itching a lot under anterior shoulders areas
--- red little feet ...
--- less hairs on feet ...
--- seems to sleep more ...
--- no hair loss for the moment ...
(shedding period is almost finished, last guard hairs grow on his back)
--- And today ... I saw him "marking" for the first time !

I've been over here at home since his surgery ... I control his exposure to light ... (maximum of 4 hours a day). Since we have him (May 2001) ... I've always try to keep him in the dark (low lights, cage covered) because I just don't want to take a chance ... and even though he had Adrenal ... So, I'm wondering if the light has that much impact on Adrenal after all ...

I'm so sad, I feel so guilty again ... I was so proud to diagnostic his disease at the first beginning ... so happy to help him ... maybe I should have wait longer ... and the vet could have seen the other tumors ...

Can you tell me now what are the best options for him if Adrenal is coming back like I think ? I'm so confused ...

- wait ... see evolution again ...
- find another vet to do the surgery of the right gland ...
- put him right now on Lupron with his actual vet
- give him melatonin and wait ...
- send a blood test (U of T) to be sure ... (all vets here never do it, they say keep the money for surgery)

Thank you so much ... I'm so confused right now ... I just want to do the right thing for him ... Thanks again for your comments ...

Linda and Cookie
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