From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-04-14 23:58:03 UTC
Subject: RE: Kira update - smaller vulva
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4170012.1113523083484.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
If that is all she does it cuts down the chances of that already unusual po=
ssibility. Sure, she may have gotten something in there and has a vaginal =
infection (though I doubt carpet fiber would make any difference) but more =
likely she is starting an adrenal growth, so it is time to review the signs=
of adrenal nbeoplasia and what is done for it.
Adrenal growths are usually (but far from always) benign, BUT they have suc=
h pronounced systemic effects that they impact very negatively on the quali=
ty of life and even on survivability even when benign. It is usually best =
to remove them. When there are reasons to not do surgery such as the the i=
ndividual not being strong enough or having other serious medical problems,=
then a combination of meds may be used such as Lupron injections and melat=
onin implants, or Suprelorin (not in the U.S. yet) and also melatonin impla=
nts. If seen by the vet each month a medicated ferret has a better chance =
of having the life-threatening complications such as urinary blockages from=
prostate swelling (males), anemia caught and responded to rapidly if they =
occur. (See many past posts, especially those from Dr. Jerry Murray on dea=
ling with such disorders. (Growth into neighboring structures such as the =
Vena Cava or the liver can also occur with no need for the kind of spread s=
een in malignancies which by definitiion can spread to distant tissues.)
Even when it doesn't threaten life an adrenal growth can very negatively im=
pact the quality of life of ferrets. There is an excellent post on untreat=
ed adrenals by Dr. Bruce Williams in the FHL Archives. Anyone with doubts =
will soon see that treating is the only humane response. =
(Past posts in the FHL Archives can be found at =
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org
I'll note a few symptoms of adrenal growths and I am sure that others will =
mention more:
1. Behavioral changes that seem like a whole ferret: a ferret may adopt y=
our toes as if they were newborn babies, or may engage in mounting behavior=
, or may suddenly be mounted often, etc.
2. Fat distribution may change, leaving a ferret with a pronounced pear sh=
ap: thin in the thorax and fat in the abdomen. (There may even on rare oca=
ssion be fat deposited inside the thoracic cavity.)
3. Fur anywhere forward of the tail may be lost bilaterally (both sides). =
(Fur also may be lost on the tail but that often has just dermal causes, t=
oo.)
4. Smell may change to more like that of a whole ferret, and people who ge=
t allergic reactions to only whole ferrets may begin to react to the indivi=
dual.
There are a more, but I had almost no sleep last night and am shaking my he=
ad to stay awake so I'll let others mention other symptoms and important th=
ings to know.
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