From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2010-03-16 20:55:56 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Blood tests say Adrenal, Help please
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi, Debbie,
Sorry to hear about Slinky. It sounds like the shots he is receiving
are lupron depot. That would be the standard choice to diagnose
adrenal and relieve symptoms. That price is a bit higher than what I
am used to paying but isn't extreme. It also sounds like the tests
run were the Tennessee Panel, which is also standard, and that the
results confirmed adrenal. Perhaps most importantly, it really does
sound like your vet knows what they are doing and has experience
treating adrenal disease. With a good vet adrenal is usually
treatable with a good outcome in the end.
The vets I've used over the years would do surgery. Only about 5% of
cases are bilateral which means Slinky will likely have one good
adrenal gland left. Ferrets can do just fine with one adrenal gland
and live a nice long, healthy, happy life. My Ella had her adrenal
surgery in December, 2004. Five years, four months later she is a
happy and extremely playful eight year old.
In the unlikely chance that both gland are affected and you opt for
surgery Slinky would need medication for the rest of his life but
otherwise he would still probably be fine. My Pertwee lived for
almost four years with no adrenal glands and it was a completely
unrelated issue (liver cancer) that got him in the end. If it turns
out Slinky is bilateral lots of people here can give you pointers for
dealing with his recovery and getting his meds right. I wouldn't
worry about that just yet.
The main thing to do is to discuss this in detail with your vet. If
you trust the vet go with their recommendation. If they recommend
surgery make sure they are comfortable doing a right adrenalectomy if
that's needed. The right is a more difficult surgery because the vena
cava (the main vein bringing blood to the heart) is always involved.
There are different surgical techniques different vets use depending
on how involved the vena cava is and what the vet is comfortable with.
You can read about that in the archives.
While there is always risk in any surgery I have yet to lose one of
mine during or after an adrenal surgery, right or left. We did lose a
five year old rescue but she was a case of long term neglect and had
other issues. It sounds like Slinky is younger, in good shape,
otherwise healthy, and getting top notch care. His chances of pulling
through and recovering well should be excellent if you opt for
surgery.
One thing I really, really need to make clear: I am NOT advocating
surgery as the best choice. It's what I have experience with and what
my ferrets' vets have chosen as the best treatment option, including a
successful surgery for Chin Soon almost a year ago. I know the
medical options are improving and there are some good long term
results nowadays, something that wasn't available to my ferrets in
past years.
What I am advocating is discussing this with your vet and taking their
advice if you trust it. That's what I do and my ferrets have been
fortunate enough to have great vets.
Good luck to you and to Slinky, whatever you decide.
All the best,
Caity and the terrific trio (Ella, Zephyr and Chin Soon)
[We've had some ferrets with right adrenal disease
who did not have the Vena Cava involved, but that
is a common consideration since it is so often
involved.
--Moderator]
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