From:
merrell.skipper-1@nasa.gov
Date: 2005-12-13 22:13:03 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: tenn.panel and adrenal
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Hi Vivian, I'm new here, so hello everyone. I rescue fuzzies and just had two that recently went thru adrenal surgery (right side). My vet picked away at part of the left adrenal, but did not take it all. Peanut was the first who went in for removal. She lost most of her hair within 3-4 weeks so it progressed quickly. Her vulva never swelled, but she got very aggressive. The tumor was actually larger than the gland itself. Mess progressed very slowly and after 1 month w/little hair loss at the base of her tail, I put her on 1.25 mg of melatonin (orange flavored pill, crushed and mixed with ferretone). It worked wonders. After 2 months I was afraid I was masking the adrenal disease so took her in for an ultrasound (to a different, but well respected exotic vet with the latest equipment). The ultrasound showed the right adrenal was enlarged, but she showed no other signs. Since it was her right adrenal, I scheduled surgery and when the vet cut her open, she found nothing. The right gland did not appear enlarged at all. You can imagine how awful I felt to have put my baby thru this. My vet said that it wasn't a total loss since she checked for insulinoma, etc., and picked away at both adrenals but didn't take all of either one. She said she doubted that I would have anymore adrenal problems in the future with these two. I'm currently researching long term use of melatonin since Mess gained 7oz and grew back the thickest/softest coat I've ever seen on a ferret. My vet said that she has seen melatonin slow down and/or stop adrenal disease from progressing in some ferrets. She also mentioned that adrenal disease would over-ride melatonin when it got bad, but doubted it would be too late for surgery. Melatonin does not work on all ferrets. I've had very good success with it. However, I'm not sure what the long term effects are. Personally, I would get another vets opinion if possible before letting them take out both adrenals. Thanks for letting me share and sorry this was so long.
Merrell, Mess & Peanut
Author wrote:
> my vet just did a tennessee panel on clara a 4 year old sterling silver. i know she is adrenal has all the signs but a swollen vulva. the vet said they remove both glands even if the one isn't bad; i'm leary of this .because i have had one ferret only have one adrenal gland removed. i can't afford to have both removed at once and asked about the lupron shot but they wouldn't give me a price until the panel results come back! clara is healthy otherwise so what else could cause her hairloss and red teets? her vulva is only very slightly swollen .
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