From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2009-07-13 19:16:43 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Treatment for adrenal ferret
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
We have encountered a low rate of adrenal
disease over the space of 28 years with
ferrets (and I do think that genetics and
husbandry play a role in the rates). Steve
and I have encountered a higher rate in
ferrets we've adopted. Their earlier life style
could not be affected and possibly set the
stage.
Can a set stage be reset? Perhaps. Certainly,
when we have had ones with adrenal disease
they only rarely have ever had the second
adrenal also become diseased, and we know for
sure because ours were used for vet and tech training
after they passed for a great many years so
the majority of our ferrets have had extensive
necropsies and pathology/histology done.
My own inclination is to think that sufficient
darkness plays a beneficial role. After all, high levels
of LH and FSH are produced by the pituitary when
the pineal gets too little darkness so the body's
own melatonin levels drop. One's own melatonin
can perhaps be more effective than melatonin gotten
in other ways. There is some evidence on that regard
but i don't have time to look it up so suggest that
those with questions read in Pubmed to start.
There also are multiple parts of the endocrinological
system which respond positively to high levels of
exercise. I have no idea if that plays a role in this
but would not be surprised if lassitude increases risk.
Listlessness also increases the risk of depression and
that also can be involved with endocrinology.
Furthermore, there are multiple parts of the endocrinological
system which respond negatively to obesity. Can that play
a role in this? I don't know, but yellow fat produces BOTH
inflammation causing products AND estrogens, so there are
reasons to think that obesity might well increase risk. We DO
try to prevent obesity in our ferrets.
The person I know who consistently has the best longevity
record (with ANY of the pelage markings that ferrets can have)
provides them with a situation in which they get a huge
amount of exercise. That family also has incredibly low rates
of any endocrinological diseases in their ferrets. I also know
someone whose adrenal disease rate dropped to almost nothing
after she installed shutters on the ferret room and turned off
the lights in there at the time of winter dusk each day. Now,
most of us do not have the space or finances to do those sorts
of things -- and that includes us -- but it is possible to improve
the conditions in many homes for little expense and trouble,
so even if the changes are not perfect they may decrease risk rates.
So, having had a minority with the problem and having had fewer
than a handful of those have two adrenals affected in their lives
I have to strongly agree that it is entirely possible to avoid having
later adrenal disease after a first bout, though not always, and that
can not be denied because the evidence is so strong.
I am hoping to get time to read Dr. Murray's endocrinology article
in the Ferret Magazine website. We have an ill human family
member right now so I am fitting in a bit of website between needs
and sharing right here where my personal universe rests.
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