From:
"Laura Sherman"
Date: 2008-04-17 21:09:18 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Update on my Ferret Herb.
To: raw-lighter <RAW-Lighter@yahoogroups.com>, "American Ferret Association" <americanferretassociation@yahoogroups.com>, "Ferret Health" <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
I believe I posted about 2 weeks ago that my ferret Herb was diagnosed with
Adrenal Disease.
My vet did not recommend surgery but explained that she
found a tumor on Herb's right adrenal gland (enlarged). She said she could
not see the left. Her suggestion was Lupron injections once a month. Their
office charges $67 for the Lupron injection. That's going to add up fast so
I decided to get a "second opinion". Not that I doubt Herb has Adrenal
Disease but I want better treatment options and prices.
I was recommended to
a vet in my area that is supposed to be wonderful with ferrets and is very
reasonable with his prices. We had our appointment with him today. I've
learned a lot from him as he was very knowledgeable about ferret health
overall and treatment options. He did make sure, like my other vet did, that
I understand the surgery is the only way that you can completely remove the
tumor and that all the other treatments we discuss are treating the symptoms
only.
But, surgery was the last option for him and was not an option for my
other vet. He even went as far as saying that even when surgery is
successful most surgeons will tell you that you don't get *all* of the
tumor/adrenal tissue and you are pretty much guaranteed that the tumor will
return, eventually.
So, I say, what's the point?
He said he's treated many,
many ferrets with adrenal problems and he has never seen one male under his
care have trouble with their prostate and subsequent urination problems. Not
to say that it cannot happen - he has heard of this happening, just not in
any of his patients. My biggest concern with Herb is the prostate issue, I
want his quality of life as high as possible for as long as possible.
More
great news was that oral steroid drops can be administered on a daily basis
and achieve the same results as the Lupron injections - But, at a cost of
$13 per month!!!!! It didn't take me but a fraction of a second to say
"yeah, we'll do THAT".
He did mention Melatonin as well and basically all
these things do the same thing so it's basically just a preference on my
part. However, Herb did have his first Lupron injection 2 weeks ago so we
need to wait about 3 more weeks before he can begin the steroid therapy.
I
am put more at ease with this vet because he is confident in what he says,
talks about how many ferrets he's treated before with positive results, all
the conferences he's attended and talked to other vets and what they're
experiences are with this disease.
He also made sure we don't just focus on
the Adrenal Tumor but the whole ferret. It's very possible that other things
can come up too. We need to not assume that any little thing that "happens"
with Herb is because of the Adrenal disease. We talked about his spleen and
how that can be affected and what to look for. Thank goodness Herbs spleen
is the right size and healthy. His staff are very familiar with ferrets and
own ferrets themselves and have ferrets with adrenal disease too.
Compared
to my vet who didn't offer up any more information that she had to. I just
don't have the confidence in my original vet were my ferrets are concerned
as I do with this new guy. I just don't think vets in California have as
much experience generally but they are not going to admit that to their
clients. I think I found a gem and I'm going to keep him. He tends toward
holistic practices but isn't above using traditional medicine also and he's
very educated and experienced (based on my first meeting and a long
discussion).
Anything anyone would like to add?
--
Laura Sherman
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/