From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2009-08-15 17:41:52 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Adrenal disease and our three year old Ferret, "Maverick"
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi, Stephanie,
I know others on this group will disagree with me, but...
On Sat, Aug 15, 2009 at 12:46 PM,
stephanie.ellis40<stephanie.ellis40@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> I was told by another vet that medicine or alternative treatment is
> not effective and ultimately leads to surgery anyway.
The vets I've dealt with over the years, all very experienced and very
good ferret vets, would mostly agree with this statement. It isn't
that medication isn't effective: in some cases it works well and it
other cases it doesn't. The issue, as it has been explained to me, is
that the medications mask symptoms but don't cure the disease. The
tumor is still there. Some on list will claim better results without
surgery and with medication. None of the vets I've used would agree
at all.
The most common medication used is lupron depot. Let's say that is
effective for your ferret. It is also expensive. In time it will
cost more than the surgery.
Anyway, in ferrets up to about age seven who were otherwise strong and
healthy we have, at the advice of our vet, always done the surgery
with generally excellent results. My ferret Ella had her left adrenal
gland out in December, 2004 and has had no health problems at all
since. The surgery was curative. I've had nine ferrets who have had
this surgery; we had very good results with eight of them.
> I called a vet who I knew had
> experience with exotics. Her quote for surgery - 1,200 + dollars. I was
> shocked.
Don't be. That is probably a "worst case" estimate and, if so, it's
not high. If that's just for a routine left adrenalectomy that would
seem high to me, as in what the most expensive vet in our area
charges. However, if it's a bilateral (not common at all) with
aftercare that would be a very normal quote for a reasonable vet.
I've been told that bilateral (both glands at once) is only about 5%
of cases.
The issue here is that the right adrenal gland is attached to the vena
cava, the main vein from the heart. If your ferret needs a right
adrenalectomy that is a very difficult surgery for both the vet and
the ferret. I've had three ferrets who had their right out and all
three came through surgery just fine. The issue here is to discuss
this possibility with your vet before hand. Some vets have a lot of
experience with this and they will explain the procedure they use to
you. Some are uncomfortable doing a right adrenalectomy and will
either just close or remove (debulk) part of the gland, stating that
they cant remove it all without risking the life of your ferret. The
problem, as it has been explained to me, is that if you leave part of
the gland in you also leave the disease (tumor) in. At that point I
would choose a different vet who has a strong track record of success
with rights. I would also ask other ferret owners in your area for
recommendations.
> I love my ferret and want to save him from discomfort and death,
> but have two daughters in college, a husband who might be let go from his
> job in October and don't know how I can afford this. Am I being unreasonable
The typical ferret will have one major health crisis during their life
requiring surgery at a cost of over $1000. This is a normal part of
being a ferret owner. If you can't do this then I'm very sorry to say
you probably shouldn't have ferrets. I know this sounds harsh but I
firmly believe that if you can't take responsibility for your pet's
life (any pet) then it isn't appropriate to have that animal. Some
vets have financing plans so you may not have to pay this all at once.
It's worth asking about.
I was unemployed when it became clear that Chin Soon needed surgery
for adrenal disease and insulinoma. I'm still under-employed but I
worked out payments with the vet. The surgery was in April and the
bill just got paid off last week. The original estimate was around
$800-$1200 depending on what was found. Due to complications she
spent four days in the animal hospital it worked out to be around
$1500. The good news is that Chin Soon, who is six, is absolutely
back to normal and symptom free.
> to think that I can get this surgery performed by an experienced vet for
> less?
Maybe, maybe not. It doesn't hurt to shop around but with adrenal
surgery I would make sure I had an experienced vet who has a great
reputation for success. If there is more than one who fits the bill
in your area then of course you can go with the less expensive one.
If not... The problem is that quote, depending on what they are
quoting, may not be out of line.
Best of luck to you and your ferret.
Regards,
Caity and the terrific trio (Ella, Zephyr, and Chin Soon)
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