From:
thirsty_bear@msn.com
Date: 2004-02-11 12:09:34 UTC
Subject: swollen vulva - back from the vet - advice please
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <6378167.1076501374553.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Hi All,
I read Lisa's post before we left (thank you)and was all ready to had Miso scheduled for surgery next week. And now for the scream....
As I have said, the vets here are a bit behind on things. The vets first response was she wasn't spayed then. I would think at this age, she would be dead by now if that were the case. He didn't think her vulva was very large, was surprised I thought it was. (It is definately different). I showed him how her nipples are red and seem hard, he said it was ok. He said usual treatment here for adrenal tumors was Lysodren, and that melatonin was poisonous. He was also talking about addisons and cushings, so you know what I'm dealing with here. I gave him some information I printed out from miami ferret website about Luporn and Melatonin.
He thinks it isn't adrenals because:
she has put on weight
she does not have the pot belly, thin legs
she isn't drinking more than usual or urinating more
she isn't aggressive
she is not excessivly itchy
I had also brought with me some printouts from the archives. He agreed with the post from Dr Williams, YG2552, where Dr Williams states "before rushing straight to surgery, I think I would like to see some corroborating evidence...."
I did ask, he has never performed adrenal surgery. He has once removed the ovaries, which is all they apparently remove here when spaying.
He did see some fluid drainage from her vulva. He thinks she is licking herself too much and just inflamed herself. He wants to wait two to four weeks, then try something homepoathic.
I use biodegradable litter in two boxes, paper towels in the others. I have added the senior formula of Marshalls food to her normal marshall food to get her comverted to the senior diet, she prefers this as a soup (spoiled girl). She also gets Path Valley food dry. The only new thing in her life is Nutri-Nibbles ferret odor care treats, she gets one a day if she asks. Otherwise, nothing is new, no new detergent, chemicals in the house, anything. She hasn't been outside either.
She needs a bath, I'm almost afraid to give her one thinking the soap might make her vulva hurt. Any advice??
Sorry for being so long winded here. I'm just really frustrated.
Any and all thoughts here would be appreciated.
Tracy