From:
bdhamer@bellsouth.net
Date: 2004-10-28 01:02:59 UTC
Subject: Thinning/Hair loss and swollen vulva
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3848163.1098925379462.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
To those who have written before, thanks. I have poured through the almost 350 posts that deal with the hair loss and swollen vulva.
Now, after that has been said, I would like to know two things that I didn't find in the posts but just a note of history on Sweetie Pie.
This female ferret is 2 years old, spayed (two blue dots in the ear. She seemed to be the source of illness in another ferret but was never ill herself. From Sept. 2003 to Sept. 2004 had a one year history of weight loss from 800 grams to 530-550 but in the last two months since other ferret died, Sweetie Pie has gained some weight and shows less hiding behavior of food. She has been on small amounts of Pepcid two times a day which seems to have helped the appetitie. She had lost her underlying muscle layer and sturdy constitution, but now that seems to be returning. Behavior has not changed, she has never been cuddly.
Now since Sept. 1 of this year I have noticed hair loss on tail only, initially only at the tip, now about half way up the tail. Consistency of hair is also more coarse, changing color sightly, maybe some thinning, but no other loss that I can see. Weight is up to over 600 grams, appetite good, but in the last two weeks has also developed swollen vulva. I don't notice any particular odor, discharge, or change in urine color or amount.
If she does have adrenal disease:
1. What will the Tennessee panel identify?
2. Should both adrenals be removed at the same time?
3. What drugs if any are used after surgery?
4. What are the other diseases that will have to be watched
for after adrenals are removed?
Thanks in advance for any advice. I want to go to the vet with as much knowledge as possible.