From:
bdhamer@bellsouth.net
Date: 2005-01-14 15:53:50 UTC
Subject: RE: Thinning/Hair loss and swollen vulva
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5072781.1105718030959.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I would like to follow up on an initial post from early November for anyone interested and for future reference.
Results of hours of reading on this site and others indicated that the likelihood of adrenal disease was very high. I didn't find much else indicated, and also determined that the best course of action was surgery because of the symptoms.
I saw her vet in Nov.4 and exam showed as below, very swollen vulva and hair loss on tail. I opted to pass over some of the more expensive testing to rule out other problems because of things that I read in the posting and still paid $800.00 for surgery and pathology reports. Sweetie Pie did not have an obvious tumor on the left adrenal gland but the gland was about 1 1/2 times the normal size and showed hyperplasia. The right lymph node was normal in size and color so it was left alone. A lymph node that was enlarged show eosenophilia (possible allergy to food - currently on Shepards and Green adult formula); no evidence of insulinoma noted.
[Spoke to specialist in Washington DC and he expressed there should still be concern about adrenal disease if the lymph gland was enlarged].
Sweetie Pie developed a post-op UTI and was on Clavomox for two week period. Initially thought of a problem because she developed urinary dripping after surgery.
Now two months post surgery the hair on the tail has not grown back. Hair removed on abdomen and right front extremity have shown little to no regrowth of hair. Hair on neck and shoulder area found to be thinning, as noted by the vet, because the skin and pink color is visible on physicial exam. Vulva is still almost as swollen as before, although not as pink. She still has the urine drips, but Lysol wipes in the big 70 count help to keep the floor clean. NO I don't use the wipes on her.
Eating has improved somewhat but weight only up from 530 to 570 grams. Have just started a transition to Rabbit soft food, but this will be difficult since she won't eat this unless being hand fed and then will only tolerate when oil is added to the clump of food.
Next thought for this ferret, according to her vet, is a trial of melatonin 0.5 mg by mouth every night.
Will keep you informed as to progress.
THANKS TO ALL ON THE HEALTH LINE FOR INFORMATION AND STORIES TO HELP WITH DECISIONS ABOUT THESE LITTLE FUZZIES.
Authour wrote:
> This female ferret is 2 years old, spayed (two blue dots in the ear. She seemed to be the source of illness in another ferret but was never ill herself. From Sept. 2003 to Sept. 2004 had a one year history of weight loss from 800 grams to 530-550 but in the last two months since other ferret died, Sweetie Pie has gained some weight and shows less hiding behavior of food. She has been on small amounts of Pepcid two times a day which seems to have helped the appetitie. She had lost her underlying muscle layer and sturdy constitution, but now that seems to be returning. Behavior has not changed, she has never been cuddly.
> Now since Sept. 1 of this year I have noticed hair loss on tail only, initially only at the tip, now about half way up the tail. Consistency of hair is also more coarse, changing color sightly, maybe some thinning, but no other loss that I can see. Weight is up to over 600 grams, appetite good, but in the last two weeks has also developed swollen vulva. I don't notice any particular odor, discharge, or change in urine color or amount.