From:
"Liz Tveite"
Date: 2005-10-13 14:51:15 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] adrenal removal
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
>My 5 year old male has adrenal. He is balding, marking, and last Fri had trouble urinating. He is going to have surgery w/in the week for adrenal removal. The vet recomneded by the local rescue group in my area uses cryo. The rescue group always has both adrenals taken out in surgery. It seems drastic to me and am looking for solid advice or literature stating pros and cons to such a surgery. I mean is it worth risking a life of hormone shots to take out a healthy adrenal b/c it may become cancerous in the future? What are the odds of needing hormone shots if both are taken out? What are the odds of the second adrenal becoming cancerous if left alone? If anyone can help w/these questions, or provide any evidence to >support not removing both I would greatly appreciate it.
I personally would not do surgery on a 5 year old ferret. The stress of the surgery alone could kill him.
I have had two ferrets that have had both adrenal glands removed. The left was removed completely and the right was 'debulked'. Meaning part of it was left behind because of the difficulty in removing fully.
With part of the adrenal gland still in place, it will still produce hormones. And there are hormone producing areas throughout the body. I have never given additional hormones to these ferrets.
One ferret, Molly, had the surgery (my first) about 3 1/2 years ago and she is now 7-8 years old. The other, just this past March, was a female, Zoe, and had the same surgery with both removed (right debulked). I have had her on a low dose of Pediapred, because she did react after surgery to the decrease, but she is doing fine now. Molly has never been on any medication.
If it were my ferret, at the age of 5, I would opt for melatonin implants. I have 6 ferrets with implants right now. They are very effective at relieving symptoms. They are not a cure, but sometimes it's a better option that surgery.
With the case of boys and the blocked urinary tract (from prostate swelling) that can get to be a very serious condition if a full blockage happens. I have (thankfully) never gone through that problem yet. But I know that we have some ferrets at our main shelter site that have been on the drug for human prostate swelling (I can't remember the name, Propecia? Something like that)
Hope this helps you make a decision about your guy. I know it can be a tough one.
I used to opt for surgery right away. But after losing one to a blood clot the day after surgery, I'm rethinking that route.
Adrenal disease is a slow progressing disease. We have had some ferrets in our shelter live longer without surgery, than some that have had surgery.
Good Luck,
Liz
...in the Company of Ferrets, Inc.
MN
Barbara
====================================================================<<<
Whatever you Wanadoo, click below:
http://ads.smartgroups.com/adclick/CID=000000b7c79a99a500000000
====================================================================>>>
--
If you want to share pictures, use the calendar, or start a vote
visit http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
To leave the group, email: ferrethealth-unsubscribe@smartgroups.com
Report abuse http://www.smartgroups.com/text/abusereport.cfm?gid%3D1423922&mid%3D15664