From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2003-11-30 18:30:47 UTC
Subject: RE: I think Adrenal is coming back ...
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4124645.1070217047414.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Okay. First off, let's not put the cart before the horse. While it is possible that he has a second adrenal growthhe might not.
That urine dribbling here or there has me worried, though, and an ultrasound of the prostate might be a useful thing to discuss with your vets.
If his prostate is up that is a real concern and while you are finding a surgeon in that situation you'd need to give Lupron and Propecia/Proscar to prevent the prostate getting worse. Dysuria is real worry IF there is a trend in that direction on his part.
> I've been reading on treatments for Adrenal ... I've a lot of "homeworks" to do >! I'm so confused again ... There are pros and cons for the right gland >surgery and post-op risks too. Some people had very bad experiences.
> I've read : "Sometimes right gland adrenal can be determinated to be too much of surgery risk to even try"...
When it is too risky the vets either close up, or -- our experience -- they debulk the right adrenal. Debulking (which is removing much of the bulk without being able to remove the entire thing) can often remove enough tissue to give the ferret a good shot.
In that case often enough tissue remains that the ferret will not need to have Percorten or Florinef and Prednisone. There are vets who use the meds temporarily just in case and then try reducing them and weaning them with testing to be sure that there is no danger. Others test the electrolytes several times to know.
Right adrenal tumors sometimes comes out very cleanly. Ashling's did, and when Sherman has his repairs for abberant and leaky vascularization of his left adrenal his right was also checked and out vet found it to be free of any neighboring structures so it should be easy to remove if he winds up needing that one out in the future. We've also had one (perhaps 2, but I can't recall the side for one indvidual) with a right that was malignant which came out cleanly.
> So, I'm wondering ... If I find a good vet to do it the right gland surgery and he can't do it ... Lupron will be the solution for Cookie. And if Lupron doesn't work ... Is there another way to control the disease or it only means that's a malignant tumor and there is nothing we can do ???
Lupron is not a cure, and even for benign tumors it does not work on something like 10% of young ferrets if I recall the figure correctly. It seems to not always work for the elderly, either. We've had two ferrets for whom it did not work and neither of those had maligancies.
> Can it be better to try Lupron before surgery ... if it doesn't work, we'll know it's malignant without surgery procedure ...
See above. Not working does not mean that the growth is malignant.
> I'm worried about pain too. I know that in early stage ... Adrenal doesn't >seem painful for the ferret. What is the evolution of the pain factor ?
There are several past posts on what happens to a ferret over time with adrenal growths.
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG5054 (vet)
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG5035 (non-vet)
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG5037 (non-vet)
Get the prostate checked, discuss the TN Panel with vet again, think about using Lupron and Propecia/Proscar while looking for a surgeon IF the vets think there is a good chance of there being prostate problems (which typically means adrenal problems).
Try not to worry yourself ragged. Things usually work out okay.
Try a veterinary school's clinic if you have one around for a possible surgeon if the exotic vets there don't do surgery on right adrenals.