From:
Ferret Wise Shelter
Date: 2004-02-21 06:46:23 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: adrenal recurrence
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <5.1.1.6.2.20040221013655.02ae4480@mail.usaexpress.net>
At 01:19 AM 2/21/04, you wrote:
>Having read a number of instances in which shelter people mention high
>rates of adrenal neoplasia I do find myself wondering if ferrets in
>shelters in general have higher rates than those in stable homes and if so
>which of possible contributing factors may be involved.
Sukie-
Since the ferrets who arrive in shelters many, many times have been
abandoned, stressed once or more in high degrees) and sometimes denied
adequate medical care, nutritional care ,etc. I for one do NOT find it
unusual that there are higher ratios of hyper adrenal
syndrome evidenced. The adrenal gland functions mainly (secondary to
supplement required hormonal signals) to supply adrenaline for fight or
flight and to reduce stress... so, living in a high stress environment or
in circumstances which prompt stress for this animal - with common sense
reasoning - one would expect all too often to see this.
Also take into consideration that MANY ferrets arrive at shelters -
estranged from the life they had when they are older and starting to
evidence any number of health problems. In the at large sheltering
community these animals would be put down as un adoptable in our no kill
community we try to give them quality and dignity of life- thus supporting
them through the illness and additional stress of abandonment.
Alicia D
www.ferretwise.org