Message Number: FHL2942 | New FHL Archives Search
From: felinesnferrets
Date: 2007-11-05 18:18:51 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Ferret suddenly died - need input
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

xxxxxxx,

Pardon my bluntness but I think your vet is [removed by moderator, not a cuss but an insult] and was wrong to indicate to you in any way that you may have been responsible for Peepers death because of a lupron shot. Ferrets have two adrenal glands and if only one gland was originally removed, then the other adrenal gland may have had a tumor. It is not common to remove both adrenal glands in one surgery. Usually only one adrenal gland is removed, unless otherwise indicated and then the ferret has to be watched for Addison's Crisis and given florinef. It is also my understanding that if there is any amount of adrenal tissue remaining after surgery, then it is still possible for them to show symptoms of adrenal gland disease. No professional should jump to the conclusion that the owner is the one responsible for the death of their animal. Totally inexcusable! Especially in the light of the fact that this vet is doing a free necropsy to determine cause of death. He should have not said a word to you until
after the necropsy was done and cause of death determined.

I run a shelter and have had to do many adrenal surgeries and have had to use lupron as well. I've probably used well over 100 lupron shots in the years I've been rescuing. Never have I ever had a ferret die due to complications from a lupron shot or from having it wear off. All the ferrets, male and female, tolerated their lupron injections well.

It does sound like your poor boy might have had a perforated ulcer. I've had a couple of ferrets that have passed away from this and the symptoms you describe seem to fit theirs. It can happen very quickly. In a few cases, by the time we were to determine an ulcer was the cause, it was almost too late. Now, we will start a ferret on carafate if we ever suspect a ferret has stomach issues.

I am so sorry you lost Peepers. I understand how heartbroken you are right now. Please know you did everything you could to save him. You loved him and gave him a good home.

Hugs,
Mary...FnF




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