From:
PrissyMe5@aol.com
Date: 2004-10-14 21:15:21 UTC
Subject: is it adrenal gland disease or not??
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2345582.1097788521791.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I have rescued a female,spayed ferret ("Sugar")from a shelter about 5 months ago. Let me give you this somewhat mind-boggling timeline.....
4 months ago- (Doctor #1) "Sugar" was showing alopecia on tail, lethargic, anorexia, enlarged vulva, abnormal appetite, weakened in hips/back legs, cloudiness in eyes, occasional cough/sneeze, slight rash on belly....doctor tells me not to overract with the adrenal gland disease and that he's the doctor, yet prscribes Lupron anyway...I don't get this b/c I was unsure with the doctor and go to another vet for opinion (he also said the eyes were fine and a dental should be done "sometime" soon)
"Sugar" was doing much better shortly after this. Her symptoms were very mild and most went away. But soon it crept back.
3 months ago- (Doctor #2) "Sugar" is showing alopecia that has progressed a lot quicker this time, abnormal appetite agian, weight loss, well everything before but no rash....the doctor found a mass that just stood out to her while palpating the abdominal/pelvic area (not caught one month ago by doc#1), recommended bloodwork, Sx, and sent home Pet-Tinic....she also stimulated her vulva with the themometer to see if the swelling would go down (it was possible there might be ovarian tissue left behind after the spay)...
(Two weeks later)- I went back to get the bloodwork done and "Sugar" had already had an abnormal wieghtloss but was eating great....so bloodwork was canceled per the doctor and the Sx was scheduled (scheduled based on her schedule)...
2 months ago- Sx was done and her right kidney was removed b/c it was covered with tumors, i was told it did not need to be sent off right away to be analyzed and we would all wait a few weeks to see how she was, they were unable to clean her teeth b/c they were afraid to keep her under too long, and said her teeth would be fine....
(few weeks later)...i went back for a recheck, no improvement that i see, but the doctor tells me she's fine and she does not not to see "Sugar" for another 3 months!....
Since the Sx.....i have been feeding her baby food (during the day), A/D (off and on), Duck Soup(occasionally), Calorie Supplement(as a snack), Iron Supplement, and crushing her regular ferret food into the the food
Two weeks ago...she has gone down hill with the weightloss...but eating well and fecals fine
Two days ago (Doctor #3)- This one tells me her teeth are bothering her due to not having a dental (I've brushed them occasionally and use dental wipes after just about every eating, but am told her teeth look as if they've been going down hill for years now (i've only has her 5 months)....which i've told doc#1 and #2), plus she says she's actaully 2 years older than i've been told!, and the histopath really should have been done...
Now...she's on anitbiotics for her teeth to give her comfort and still eating the baby food...
She's not gaining weight and no vet has given me any option besides baby food....she eats like a little piggy but no weight gain! I'm hearing cancer now and not adrenal gland disease...
I'm not sure if i'm getting a run-around or just bad doctors...
She's a strong little girl and if she's willing to fight for me, I'm willing to fight for her.....I want to do all I can for her...but everyone's telling me different options....
Should I give up on these vets and take her to a intensive care specialist up north?
Does anyone know what might be going on? I'm calling the I.C. Clinic tomorrow morning, but was wondering if someone would be able to give me a head's up?
Thank you so much in advance ;-)
--Lauren