From:
julie_fossa@yahoo.com
Date: 2004-02-21 18:40:44 UTC
Subject: RE: adrenal recurrence
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <6231491.1077388844522.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Author wrote:
> Regarding adrenal recurrence, I have a somewhat different question but
> definitely adrenal related. How common is it when both adrenals are removed for the
> ferret to again be showing fur loss symptoms of adrenal and has become a bit
> more aggressive.
Sandi, I have had 2 ferrets that had bi-lateral adrenalectomies, only to regrow tissue that was identified by pathology as adrenal malignancies.
I believe they have a lot of cells that can kick in and function like a gland after the original equipment has been removed, which is how so many can have bi-lateral removals without needing Percorten or Florinef.
I would consider the possibility of another adrenal growth, and if left go, could become malignant. Adler blocked, so I was forced to make the decision for surgery; he lived another 5 good months after his last surgery, to pass at the age of around 7.5 years.
Most of my ferrets, have shown adrenal signs again after the removal of the first gland. Surgical candidates get surgery. On a couple we haven't been able to find the gland, despite seeing their right when the left was removed, and they have responded well to Lupron.
My late neuter ferrets have had equal incidence of adrenal neoplasm as my early alters.
Julie