From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2004-07-08 05:04:34 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Help/advice?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4464906.1089263074258.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
*IF* this is adrenal disease (and it could instead simply be a failure for fur to regrow in a non-shedding season after loss from ringworm (a fungal disease)) then treatment becomes important.
PLEASE, watch for further fur loss or for any symptoms of adrenal disease and DO be aware that a urinary blockage can happen suddenly, requiring emergency surgery for the root cause.
Here's another Dr. Bruce Williams Golden Oldie on what can happen without treatment of adrenal disease:
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG5054
including:
>However, even under the best conditions,
>when there is no malignancy, there is no
>bone marrow toxicosis, there is no
>prostatic cystic disease - even the most
>mild prediction is a sad one. Ferrets with
>adrenal disease have a diminished quality
>of life - they have progressive muscle loss,
>low grade anemia, they tend to redistribute
> weight to the abdomen, further making it
>difficult to walk, they have an increased
>incidence of gastric ulcers as a result of the
>stress of chronic illness, decreased bone
>density - none life-threatening, but all
>life-compromising. Even medical
>treatment, which is not my preferred way
>of treating adrenal disease, gives slight
>releif to symptoms. Doing nothing is not
>kind and not in a ferret's best interest.
As has been said, some vets are fine about being paid over a space of time. There have been past posts in a number of other locations mentioning that some clients have even arranged for labor to be done in lieu of some part of payment. Even more commonly people sell things to afford care. There are things people can do themselves to provide the care needed.