From:
sharonl1@frontiernet.net
Date: 2005-03-10 03:57:40 UTC
Subject: Adrenal symptoms returning already.
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7655508.1110427060890.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Some background. Nanook is now 4.5 years old. Last fall he started aggresive behavior and problems urinating. We did not have a ferret knowledgable vet, and didn't realize it was adrenal disease. He became totally blocked, and by a miracle we ended up at very ferret knowledgable vet office. It took several emergency surgeries to overcome the blockage and buy some time until the Lupron/Propecia could work to decrease the prostrate gland. While the vet was in there, both adrenal glands looked normal. Because of the weakened condition of Nanook, and no obvious gland to remove, the vet left both there.
For the next 3 months Nanook was on monthly Lupron shots and Propecia, and things were going well. In January, about 2 weeks after the monthly Lupron, he started with the agression and urinary problems again. We gave him a 3 month depot, which did not help. At this point we decided to try the surgery route again.
We took him to a VERY knowledgable ferret surgeon for the surgery. During the surgery, the left gland was greatly enlarged and removed, while the right was normal and stayed. The surgery was 3 weeks ago... This weekend, Nanook started the agressive behavior again, and also seems to be peeing smaller amounts, more often. Needless to say, my vet and I are very worried. Can a gland 'go bad' in 3 weeks? Can it be diseased and still look normal? Are we looking at another surgery so soon? Any thoughts, comments, supportive statements??