From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2010-03-18 21:11:41 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Blood tests say Adrenal, Help please
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Debbie,
> My two choices are:
>
> 1) Start him on Desllrelin implant (less expensive than the monthly shot) and then watch for the symptoms to eventually get worse meaning his adrenal problem has gotten worse and then do surgery to remove the adrenal gland(s).
I have had 7 personal ferrets implanted with Deslorelin. One did have a rare adverse reaction, but according to a well known ferret expert veterinarian, she would likely have had the same reaction to Lupron Depot because for whatever reason, her particular system can't handle the initial, short-lived onslaught of increased hormonal production both these treatments cause. Just wanted to get the out of the way. The rest are doing very well on the Deslorelin.
The more recent thinking is that the Deslorelin implant lasts on average 2 years, as opposed to earlier estimates of 8 months to 2 years. Point is that you don't know for certain how long it will last and the adrenal disease may be effectively controlled with a subsequent implant if needed. By then your ferret will be well on his way to being an advanced senior as it is.
The alternative is to keep him on Lupron Depot and possibly melatonin.
While it is true that surgery is more likely to cure, it is not guaranteed to cure. And there is no reason to believe that without surgery, that he will inevitably develop a carcinoma.
> 2) Get surgery now and remove the adrenal gland(s)
If both his adrenals are removed then yes he will require more aggressive medical management immediately after surgery.
If he has only one adrenal removed then there is a high probability you will be facing the same decisions in a year or two when it appears in the other adrenal. But that will give you time to decide what the next step should be. On the other hand it is possible that removing the diseased adrenal will in fact cure him.
He will need medication for the rest of his life, with or without surgery, unless he is cured, which appears to be the case in only a teeny minority of ferrets who undergo surgical removal of one adrenal.
> So, now there is another question, should I do an ultrasound to see what is happening inside or is that an unnecessary (and costly) procedure that will only result in one of the above choices anyway.
Ultrasound can be used to confirm whether he has other issues with his prostate such as cysts or abscesses. These would complicate surgery and are difficult to resolve. However, at his age and given he has not completely blocked as yet, a cystic prostate may not be suspected by your vet.
It can confirm heart disease if that is a concern going into surgery.
If neither of these are what you are aiming to find out from an ultrasound, then it is an unnecessary and expensive procedure. You already know that he has adrenal disease (assuming the blood work was the Tennessee panel).
I don't believe there is a wrong choice. Some vets (& owners) feel strongly surgery is the best route, others don't agree. In fact, these are all effective ways to manage the disease.
I don't think there is a one treatment-fits-all.
It sounds like your vet is respecting whichever way you want to go, therefore, go with what your gut tells you is the best choice for you and your particular fuzzkid. And be prepared to adjust treatments as meeded, along the disease trajectory.
Tressie
------------------------------------
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:
ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
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/