From:
<caitlyn@mizuhoradio.com>
Date: 2003-12-02 21:10:15 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] I think Adrenal is coming back ...
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Cc: <linsto@hotmail.com>
Message-ID: <39025.155.226.255.42.1070399415.squirrel@www.mizuhoradio.com>
Hi, Linda,
First, I disagree with the vet who told you pathology was unnecessary
because results are always the same. They are not. We've had half of our
ferrets who have had adrenal tumors removed have the pathology come back as
carcinomas. Two of the three had adrenal disease recur, one in just weeks,
one in a year and a half.
Second, I understand your vet has little or no success with right adrenal
tumors. Our vet has removed right adrenal tumors from three of our ferrets,
and one, Podo, had the procedure done at age seven and a half. Podo is
still here, a happy nine year old, more than a year and a half later. A
ferret vet with experience dealing with adrenal disease can remove a right
adrenal gland successfully.
Third, it does sound like Cookie has a second adrenal tumor. Lupron may
mask the symptoms, but it won't stop the tumor from growing or the disease
from progressing. If Cookie is still a good surgical candidate I don't
believe Lupron is the right answer. Pertwee lived three years and four
months with no adrenal glands. Liver cancer finally got him, but we had
three very good years with an incredibly playful weasel because we did that
surgery.
Fourth, recovery from having both adrenal glands out is rough on the ferret
and the owner. If your current vet doesn't have experience with the issues
(balancing electrolytes, avoiding an Addisonian Crisis) then he shouldn't be
treating Cookie for this. I think the fact that he is uncomfortable
removing the right gland and won't touch it is a disqualifier.
Fifth, I understand that there isn't a better vet in Quebec. For one of my
ferrets there would be only one possible answer: travel to where there is a
good, experienced vet. I don't know if Ontario or New York State would be
best, but somewhere relatively near Quebec there are good vets.
Last summer it looked like I might take a job in northern Idaho. No ferret
vet there, either. I was more than prepared to put a sick ferret in a
carrier and get on a plane or drive to Seattle if that was what it took. I
know that is hard (and expensive) to do that. I just love my ferrets that
much.
I hope you can afford to find the best care for Cookie.
All the best,
Caity and the effervescent eight