From:
"Patricia Kaczorowski"
Date: 2008-02-27 20:24:12 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Re: Propecia
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
It is so frustrating when you do so much and investigate every avenue and still feel you have no answer. However, just to explain a little, the TN panel measures hormones that are elevated in adrenal gland disease. IF it is normal it can't completely rule out adrenal disease, since perhaps elevations are cyclical or subclinical. BUT if it is elevated it is abnormal since a neutered ( or any male) ferret shouldn't have these elevated hormones. So it is adrenal gland disease. Meaning the hormones are there, the adrenal is pumping them out, but there may be little or no signs.
So when the TN panel is positive, saying "supporting clinical signs of adrenal disease", perhaps that is a technical error, it is saying that the elevations point to adrenal disease, and this would support any clinical signs an owner may be seeing. Not all adrenal is seen clinically, and some signs that we are all so used ot seeing like the balding, may be cyclical or not at all.
Sometimes the adrenal gland doesn't enlarge, and will only be felt by the vet when he does an exploratory to feel abnormal.
SOmetimes, the adrenal pumps out cortisol instead of the sex hormones and that really screws up the clinical signs. Sometimes the ferrets don't read the books and don't follow the manual and really mess up the vets. So diagnosis can be elusive, or show up with time.
I think your ferret has adrenal gland disease,based soley on the TN panel results. I don't know that this has anything to do with the prostate or his urination difficulties. THere is a saying , something about if it quacks like a duck, walks like a duck. Well, you get my meaning, it probably is all connected. I will say that with time you may get your answer. You may want to explore the possibility of an exploratory ( excuse the pun) at some point- I usually base this on things like weight loss, not doing well and no reason why, etc. Since in my many years of owning ferrets, after a certain age they all seem to have something worth looking at on an exploratory. Usually adrenal ( even when no symptoms), insulinoma, or biopsy for IBD or lymphoma,etc.
Just my opinion.
Patty K
----- Original Message -----
From: Sheryl
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:49 AM
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Propecia
Sukie, Again, He did have a TN panel and it said that "2 of the three
parameters were elevated SUPPORTING CLINICAL SIGNS of adrenal
disease" and, again, he did not have any clinical signs at the time.
He now, however, does have balding of the tail.
He had 2 ultrasounds. one of which was done by an exotics specialist
vet who sees ferrets everyday. The ultrasound machine was so
sensitive it measured to the tenth of a millimeter. His adrenals
looked perfect as did his prostate. There was no fluid in his
prostate whatsoever. He said that everything looks perfect and that
he was as stumped as I am/was.
The lupron, I believe, is the highest dose and he has been on it for
8 months.
Propecia?
I'm sorry if I sound a little moody, but I am tired of having to go
through this again.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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