From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2004-02-24 02:59:19 UTC
Subject: Re: Adrenal reocurrence
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1ec.19ae8524.2d6c1807@cs.com>
Hi Wolfie,
You have many good questions about adrenal
gland disease and how it effects the remaining
gland if only 1 gland is removed. The percent
reocurrence in the remaining gland will depend
a lot on the time frame followed from the surgery
and if histopathology is done at the end.
A recent study by Dr Nico Sshoemaker answered
most of your questions. Using 10 adrenal ferrets,
he followed them from diagnosis to autopsy at the
end of their lifes. 30% were bilateral at the time of surgery,
and 100% were bilateral by histopath when they died.
I think 90-100% are bilateral when followed for 3 years
after diagnosis. Unfortunately some articles were published
with short follow up times. Thus their reocurrence rates were
low. But if you follow adrenal ferrets for a long time and
do an autopsy at the end of their life, the reocurrence rate
will be close to 100%! This makes sense since removing one
gland does not stop the stimulation to the other gland.
If only gland is removed, treatment with Lupron and/or
melatonin to protect/treat the remaining gland is a good idea!
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM
End of ferrethealth Digest
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