From:
"Jeff"
Date: 2011-06-05 18:53:56 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Re: Puzzled
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
Maureen:
Many ferrets are treated for both insulinoma and adrenal disease simultaneously and for long periods of time. And yes, some of the lethargy can probably be attributed to the adrenal disease. You say that you are concerned with ˜stressing" your ferret by getting her an implant, but there is really no stress involved, and in fact I believe it's far more stressing on the ferret's body to not treat adrenal disease, which can make them uncomfortable and affect their quality of life in many ways. Hair loss is probably the least important symptom to worry about. What's more important is what the excessive hormones surging thru her body are doing, and how rapidly the tumor or tumors may be growing. Treating with a deslorelin implant or lupron depot shot can alleviate symptoms and discomfort and slow down the growth of the tumors. A melatonin implant can help somewhat as well, particularly with hair regrowth, and using both together can get the best results for the ferret.
I don't understand what you mean when saying that you will "see how she does for a while before getting it". You already describe some symptoms, such as an enlarged vulva, hair loss in some parts, and lethargy. Waiting to treat her disease will only allow these symptoms to worsen, and others to arise. Why would you wait? Give her the best opportunity at a decent quality of life for as long as she is with you. You say she's sleeping almost all of the time. Perhaps she needs treatment for her adrenal disease AND she may need an increase in her meds for her insulinoma. You should check blood glucose regularly with insulinomic ferrets. That's the only way to safely monitor and determine when they will need an increase in meds, and that's also how you can best avoid debilitating and sometimes fatal seizures.
I apologize if I sound preachy, but I am a strong advocate for treating any disease asap, not waiting until the signs are so advanced that treatment may not be as effective, or effective at all. These guys live short enough lives as it is, and every day that we can improve that quality of life is a valuable gift to them.
Jeff
In Loving Memory of Neo, Trinity, Morphy, Possum, Pip, Pop, Sabrina, Minnie Mouse, Hunny, Misty, Frodo, Baggins, and Mr. Parker
Caring for Luna, Baby Girl, Dozer, Boomer, and Zoomer
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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