From: Lynn Mcintosh [mctosh@u.washington.edu] Sent: Sunday, February 22, 1998 3:51 PM To: FAIML Subject: Adrenal List #25 Adrenal List #25, dated July 18, 1997 1. POST - Bio List: Kelsey (surgery tomorrow!) 2. Reply: Bio - Kelsey (surgery tomorrow!) 3. Oreo Starting Lysodren Update: Big Foot 4. Ludwig update to post (surgery Thursday) 5. Adrenal List; Kelsey Update 6. Reply: Oreo: Lysodren Questions - Vets/All???! 7. Adrenal Msgs: 1) Oreo 2) Ludwig 8. Help - adrenal problems (Grimmy) 9. Mary McCarty; Lysodren 10. Subject: Kadie; New Drug - Affects Pituatary Gland 11. Bi-adrenalectomies; Right Gland Removal Reply: Grimmy 12. Lysodren 13. Faith (Spots) 14. Adrenal problems with no hair loss (Bobo) 15. Symptoms When Tumor Can't be Found (Tippie) 16. Reply: Faith (spots); Adrenal problems with no hair loss (Bobo); Symptoms When Tumor Can't be Found (Tippie) 17. Thanks from Grimmy 1.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 15:50:42 -0400 (EDT) From: AndresenK@aol.com Subject: POST - Bio List: Kelsey Hello, Hope this finds all the fuzzies out there doing well !!!! This is Katherine, I am new to this list and just joined because 1 of my 9 ferrets is facing adrenal surgery tomorrow (Tuesday). Kelsey is a DEW, male, weighing in at 4 lbs. I have only had him for about one year now. I adopted him from the Whiteplains, NY ferret show last October. When I got him he had some hair missing from the tip of his tail - the owner said it was nothing and that was confirmed by my vet, then back in April I had Kelsey at the vet again for swelling rectum and trouble urinating, and a bit more hair missing from the tail. Turns out the little guy needs to loose weight and the fat is pushing one of his kidneys and other glands down further than they should be and causing the swelling in the rectum, no signs of adrenal tumors but, does not mean that they wont show up - keep an eye on the tail. Well, we have been keeping an eye on the tail and now the hair loss goes about halfway up his tail. He does not seem to have any other symptoms he just doesn't play alot - never has and sleeps alot. Well this vet visit we scheduled adrenal surgery for tuesday. I sure hope my "Polar Bear" is fine. He was know as Thunder Roads Silver Bullet when I adopted him - he was retired from breeding. He has eight brothers and sisters that love him dearly and always use this big guy as a pillow. He is a gentle giant. Very well behaved, loves to eat and give lots of ferret kisses. I dont think he ever really had play time or other ferrets to play with because he doesn't play much but watches the others. He will give playing a try once in awhile but it wont last for long he usually just runs along side of everyone. When I play with him he never bites hard, just get ahold then releases and pushes you away with his big paws. Sorry that this is long, I just wanted to let you know about my Polar Bear. Please include him in your prayers. - thanx Any and all info as to what to expect, what to look for, how to care for him while recovery is greatly appreciated. Our prayers are with every fuzzy to stay healthy and for those facing a challenge right now to a speedy recovery. Thanx Again Sincerely Katherine and the 9K's (fuzzies) Kira,Kloee,Kory,Koko,Kandi,Kasey,Kelsey,Kaila,and Kiku 2.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 14 Jul 1997 20:30:31 -0600 From: Barbara Gustafson Subject: Reply: Bio - Kelsey (surgery tomorrow!) Katherine Best of luck on Kelsey's surgery. I'm sure he'll be just fine. All of us here will say a prayer for him. Adrenal surgery seems to be pretty common and it's not to often that you hear of a ferret having trouble from the surgery. Just be prepared to give him lots of extra TLC for a few days afterwards. PS> Love the 9 K's thing. You must have a heck of a time getting the names to come out right when you're yelling at em. Barb Gustafson (aka Boots) 3.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 14:40:39 -0700 From: pfranklin@panlabs.com Subject: Oreo Starting Lysodren Okay guys, I am going to need some help. Oreo is going to start Lysodren treatments for her reoccurring adrenal problem. The pharmacist who is preparing Oreo's Lysodren is putting it in capsules that she will need to swallow whole (it's not suppose to mix with her saliva). How on earth do I get her to swallow them? If anyone has any tips on getting ferrets to swallow pills or tablets PLEASE email me at my work (pfranklin@panlabs.com) as soon as possible. The pharmacist is ordering the smallest capsules he can and it's suppose to be ready tommorrow afternoon so I need this info fast! P.S. Big Foot just got his follow-up exam and Dr. Bishop is calling him her miracle ferret. He is still brusing easily and she is a little concerned about his platelets and bone marrow. I am suppose to get his weight up in the next couple of weeks and then we'll see how he is again. He is doing really well (still not eating solid food on his own) and playing with his toys. It is so great to see him active and not to have to worry about seizures any more! Pam Franklin 4.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 19:00:38 -0400 From: Karen Wisniewski Subject: Re: Ludwig update to post (surgery Thursday) Hello Lynn... this is my work email address. I wanted to give you the scoop on Ludwig, his surgery is posponed until Thursday July 17. He became violently ill on Wednesday, projectile vomiting and seizures/convulsions. I took him in to emergency and they hydrated him and did x-rays - found nothing unusual in radiographs, temp was normal, and they doc believes this attack probably is related to his adrenal disease. So tomorrow is our big day... everyone please say a pray to the ferret gods for him!!! Karen 5.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 15 Jul 1997 16:17:45 -0400 (EDT) From: AndresenK@aol.com Subject: Re: Adrenal List; Kelsey Update Hello - thanx for everything I received the Bio List and the foward you had sent. I forgot to mention that Kelsey is 4 yrs old... Well, I just got off the phone with the vet ----- Kelsey is in recovery - he just got there and seems to be doing well. The surgery went well. Kelsey had a very large tumor on the right adrenal gland and 2 tumors on the pancreas. (Insulinoma ? ) The vet feels they got it all out and will do biobsy on the pancreas tumors to see if they are mailignant or benign. His spleen looked fine. I have to call again after 8pm for an update. Thank you all who sent prayers to my "Polar Bear " His 8 brothers and sisters and I really appreciate it !!!!! I will post again with an update - tomorrow . Our prayers are with all those fuzzies out there to stay healthy and for those facing a challenge - to a speedy and full recovery. SIncerely, Katherine and the 9K's Kira,Kloee,Kory,Koko,Kandi,Kasey,Kelsey,Kaila,and Kiku 6.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 21:28:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Lynn Mcintosh To: Adrenal List; FML-Post Subject: Rely: Oreo: Lysodren Questions - Vets/All???! Hi. I'm posting this message for a friend, Pam, who doesn't have access at the moment. Date: Wed, 16 Jul 1997 14:40:39 -0700 From: pfranklin@panlabs.com Okay guys, I am going to need some help. Oreo is going to start Lysodren treatments for her reoccurring adrenal problem. The pharmacist who is preparing Oreo's Lysodren is putting it in capsules that she will need to swallow whole (it's not suppose to mix with her saliva). How on earth do I get her to swallow them? If anyone has any tips on getting ferrets to swallow pills or tablets PLEASE email me at my work (pfranklin@panlabs.com) as soon as possible. The pharmacist is ordering the smallest capsules he can and it's suppose to be ready tommorrow afternoon so I need this info fast! Pam Franklin To Pam, from Lynn McIntosh: Hi Pam. Vet Cathy Johnson-Delaney successfully treated her Robbie for three years with Lysodren (taken out of the capsules, so this would still work if you were to follow it) mixed with nutrical and/or melon juice - something he would lap up. She points out that the lysodren is soon to hit the stomach lining anyway, so sparing it from saliva won't make a significant difference. She also says that whatever negative reaction Lysodren has with water or liquids takes more time than saliva to stomach. She attributes some lack of success with Lysodren to too low a dose and to not pulsing the dose, which she says is done with dogs being treated for adrenal disease with Lysodren. The dose is pulsed, or stopped for a day or two regularly and/or when the pet shows signs of illness, to allow the body to rid itself of the necropsied tissues, and recover. I hope I've paraphrased her accurately. She knows your vet and would be happy to talk about it. FML folk: I think both Pam and I would sure welcome feedback on this! I also may be using Lysodren soon with Wally. This was also posted to the Adrenal List. For info about it, write me. Hugs to all fuzzies, those lost from love, and those safe in their snuggle sacks, Lynn Mc. PS. I haven't had time to write more about Percy. Soon on the heels of his death my dad had cancer surgery (still in hospital and awaiting results of pathology). I can't tell you all how much the messages to us about Percy meant, though. So many, so varied, so beautiful and kind. I will write of his adrenal medical condition soon, as I think it will be of value to other fuzzies here. But thank you all again. L Mc. 7.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 08:37:13 -0600 From: Troy Lynn Eckart Subject: Re: Adrenal Msgs: 1) Oreo 2) Ludwig Hi Pam and Everyone - Our Petey takes Lysodren. Our pharmacist mixes it with lactose and puts it in capsules. I place about 1 cc of linatone/canola oil in a teaspoon and then open the capsule and mix it well. The oil coats the lysodren and protects it from saliva. In fact, our pharmacist said that this procedure actually is good because the oil controls the Lysodren so it becomes time-released. I do have to scruff Petey because he really doesn't like it but he doesn't fight me. The first week he had to take it every day then he went to every 3rd day. Now we are at every 3rd day then every 4th day. Bud had adrenal surgery last month. It was his right. Larry took as much as he could but said to watch for symptoms. Bud lost his overcoat and has a beautiful beige undercoat showing through. His tummy fur is coming in dark dark sable. He looks beautiful and no more bothering the others. Now he is as affectionate as he use to be annoying. :-) Since it is his right, when he shows symptoms again we'll go with the Lysodren. Also Sabie is 7 years old and going bald. Her vulva is just slightly swollen. I'm torn on her surgery. 7 isn't young but she seems to be in good health other than the adrenal. What does everyone think about surgery on older ferrets? Hugs to all. tle 8.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 08:59:20 -0400 From: "Mary L. McCarty" Cc: ferret-list@cunyvm.cuny.edu Subject: Help - adrenal problems (Grimmy) I am hoping someone can give me some help. My friend, Alycia, in Philadelphia, PA (Dresher area) has two ferrets, Cocoa and Grimmy, adopted about 1 year ago. Grimmy is ~5 yo neutered male. She noticed hair loss around the base of the tail and took Grimmy to the vet. Three vets later, they had done bloodwork and an ultrasound. Both adrenals are supposed to be very bad, although the rest of his bloodwork came back fine (he did have a slightly enlarged spleen). I do not believe they did the Univ of Tennessee panel or the Cornell adrenal test, just the CBC and ultrasound. Grimmy is in perfect health otherwise. My questions: Does anyone know of a good, reliable vet in the Dresher area? Alycia's original vet doesn't do ferrets, so she is dealing with two unknowns, although they are supposed to be great with ferrets (Chestnut Hill Animal Hospital ring any bells for anyone?) I think the names are Dr. Gorshenfeld and Dr. Orser. The vet told her that surgery is impossible because both glands are infected. Is this true and how much can you tell from the ultrasound? Should she also have the blood panel done to confirm the adrenal problem or is the ultrasound enough? I was thinking since Grimmy is only about 5 yo, in great physical condition, surgery should definitely be an option. Even if they take out all of the left and most of the right adrenal, if they put him on prednisone after the surgery, shouldn't he be okay? Alycia is willing to do anything that will help Grimmy, as long as his quality of life doesn't suffer. If anyone could please get back to me privately as soon as possible, I would really appreciate it. Thanks so much! Mary and the fuzzies..... Fatso, Skinny, Maggie & Sweet Pea In remembrance of Bear, gone to the Rainbow Bridge on June 28 1997 9.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 09:01:18 -0700 (PDT) From: Lynn McIntosh Subject: Mary McCarty; Lysodren Yikes. I just posted Mary's message and it bounced back. If anyone knows her, please let her know that her server isn't working. Troy Lynn. This sounds exactly like my vet was recommending, though making sure to use oil, which she may do and I may not have picked up on - I'll check. is your vet, Larry, doing surgery based on symptoms or running the Tennessee adrenal panel and/or ultrasound first? The better vets our here want to run both first, and it gets pretty pricey, when surgery is added on. I think vets with more experience (those out here may have done ten or so if we're lucky), are more comfortable doing surgery and dealing with what they find on the spot. Good luck to Ludwig and mom Karen today!!!! Lynn 10.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 11:14:36 -0600 From: Troy Lynn Eckart Subject: Kadie; New Drug - Affects Pituatary Gland With ours Larry is learning to trust my intuition. With Kadie, a month ago, she was showing only vulva swelling. It just didn't feel like adrenal to me. We tried a hormone shot (not the TN Adrenal Panel) but it didn't help. Still didn't feel like adrenal. And when Larry went in, guess what - ovarian remnant. Unfortunately she was opened from top to bottom because Larry went for the adrenal first but since I'd indicated we might be dealing with ovarian remnant he checked and found it. We go on symptoms. Larry says, and I agree, when the symptoms indicate adrenal problems and the test costs as much as the surgery why spend the extra when you don't have too? Now in Kadies case we might have been able to determine the difference but either way she would have had to have surgery. Another tidbit. Larry ordered a new drug. It is used for dogs that exhibit adrenal problems that are caused by the Pituitary (sp) Gland telling the adrenals to put out more hormones (not very technical am I). Could this be something that is happening in ferrets that the adrenals look fine but still show symptoms? Possibly. We will try the drug on the next little one that shows symptoms but adrenals look good. Also could this be why the adrenals go bad???? Hugs to all. tle 11.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 10:36:19 -0700 From: Jim Dunn Subject: Bi-adrenalectomies; Right Gland Removal; Reply: Grimmy In response to the question about surgery on both glands, Our only female ferret, Baby, had her left adrenal gland removed in January, it was enlarged and lab comfirmed beniegn. But her hair didn't grow back and her vulva which initially reduced started to enlarge again. So in May she went in surgery again and her right adrenal and part of the liver and spleen was removed. The adrenal tumor had grown to all parts. Today she is a very healthy and happy ferret. All her hair has grown back, her vulva is down. We have to give her prednisone and florinene(sp) daily. We started at 0.5 ml each and now are down to 0.4ml on the pred and 0.15ml on the flor. Both are liquid and my wife gives it to the ferret with a surgine while I hold her. The stuff is suppose to taste like banana, but Baby would rather not eat it if given the choice, even watered down with ferretone and such. The doctor who did the right gland surgery was Dr. Dan Hudson at Nothwoods Animal Hospital in Cary NC. He has done about a dozen sucessful right gland removeals now. His number is 919-481-2987. He has and will do surgery for out of state ferrets. As long has Grimmy's quality of life is good, I would have the surgery done. *************************************** Jim Dunn Staff Engineer Raleigh Design Center E-mail: jim_dunn@pairgain.com Phone: (919) 875-3341 Fax: (919) 876-1817 *************************************** 12.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 11:30:41 -0400 From: "Michael F. Janke" Subject: Lysodren post > Our Petey takes Lysodren. Our pharmacist mixes it with lactose and > puts it in capsules. I place about 1 cc of linatone/canola oil in a > teaspoon and then open the capsule and mix it well. The oil coats > the lysodren and protects it from saliva. In fact, our pharmacist > said that this procedure actually is good because the oil controls > the Lysodren so it becomes time-released The lysodren I've gotten from our vet comes in a very viscous liquid form that tastes sweet and sort of like vanilla. It has to be refrigerated and it's so thick to begin with that after refrigeration, it's almost impossible to get into a syringe. After tasting it myself (I always taste test all medicines before giving 'em to my guys), I thought for sure Max would LOVE this stuff since it was sweet. Wrong! He fought getting that stuff more than even the most awful tasting medications. Even scruffed, his little paws went up to push the syringe away and he always made us feel so sorry for him. I also ended up wearing some of it at times. Just thought I'd let you know that there is more than just a pill form of Lysodren. And by the way, it didn't help his problem just as it didn't help Punky Doodle's when he had adrenal problems. Our shelter operator, who has treated many, many adrenal ferrets, has said she has never seen any good results from lysodren. I think that, unless surgery is absolutely out of the question, lysodren is a waste of time. My opinion only. SOMEONE must have had success with it. For the ferrets, Mike * Michael F. Janke - mjanke@gate.net * Member, South Florida Ferret Club & Rescue * * Shelter Home Page - http://www.gate.net/~mjanke 13.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 21:12:28 -0700 (PDT) From: Ernie Miekley Subject: Faith (spots) Lynn, and everyone: I have an interesting situation -- I introduced everyone to Faith, the rescue with almost no hair about one month ago - well, she is almost through all of her distemper quarantine (just got the last shot today), gained about 1.25 pounds of weight, and is extremely active and playful. Everything sounds peachy, right? Wrong. She has developed spots all over her body, the circumference of each at about1 - 2 cm. They are irregular shaped, purplish-brown in color, and closely resemble liver spots in elderly people -- any ideas? anyone see anything else like this? It is not hair growing in, although she did grow some back. She pees and poos normally, no straining, no dark urine or clear urine. She seems healthy, bright and alert. Her vision is super sharp - she can see bare flesh at 100 paces!! ;-) They don't seem to bother her at all, and I have changed her bedding, what I wash it in, her cage has been cleaned, she has no fleas, I bathe her in Allergroom (its a hypoallergenic shampoo), but I am at a loss to explain this! Please help, or calm the fears of a ferret mom sinking into hyper paranoia!!! 14.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 19:23:42 -0600 From: dave adams Subject: Adrenal problems with no hair loss (Bobo) I just took my Bobo to the vet this am with a urinary problem--couldn't go but just a drop---. He had a full bladder and could not void it. he had a normal temperature and the blood work showed nothing way out of the ordinary. an attempt was made to catherize him with no luck. Surgery followed with the results being (1) cancerous left adrenal gland (2) stones found in bladder (3) could not observe enlarged prostatic tissue and (4) could not reverse catherize the urinary tract--possible blockage outside the bladder. Someone had asked about the hair loss thing so i guess hair loss is not always a necessary sign for adrenal problems. I also am going to look back in the post for an operation where the lower urinary tract of a male ferret was bypassed due to blockages. This is I guess in a neutered male the equivalent to a sex change operation. If anyone recalls the message and the vet I would appreciate the info in that it may come to that with Bobo. I hope not but ======> I have to go to the vet now to get him hope he is awake enough although i saw him two hours ago just after he was stiched up. dave adams +16 fbs 15. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 19:56:32 -0600 From: Barbara Gustafson Subject: Symptoms When Tumor Can't be Found (Tippie) Troy Lynn, I'm interested in what you've said here as this is Tippie's problem to a T. After three surgeries, the first removed the left adrenal at age one, the other two exploratories, both of which found nothing, Tippie is definitely showing all the signs but nothing is being found. Could you please find out the name of this drug for me? My vet also suggested Lysodren but I've elected to try the holistic approach, as I don't feel comfortable subjecting her to a chemo-drug. However if there is a non-chemo treatment which could help her I'd sure like to give it a try. Barb Gustafson (aka Boots) PS..Guess what Lynn...I'm changing providers again which means.."You got it" another new e-mail address. Anyway effective the 1st of August my new e-mail will be ferts@telusplanet.net Until then you can e-mail me at either address. > Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 11:14:36 -0600 > From: Troy Lynn Eckart > Subject: Re: Mary McCarty; Lysodren > > Another tidbit. > Larry ordered a new drug. It is used for dogs that exhibit adrenal > problems that are caused by the Pituitary (sp) Gland telling the > adrenals to put out more hormones (not very technical am I). Could > this be something that is happening in ferrets that the adrenals look > fine but still show symptoms? Possibly. We will try the drug on the > next little one that shows symptoms but adrenals look good. Also > could this be why the adrenals go bad???? 16.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 23:52:28 -0700 (PDT) From: Lynn Mcintosh Subject: Reply: Faith (spots); Adrenal problems with no hair loss (Bobo); > Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 18:50:52 -0400 > From: Ernie Miekley > Subject: Faith > > Lynn, and everyone: > > I have an interesting situation -- I introduced everyone to Faith, the > rescue with almost no hair about one month ago - well, she is almost through > She has developed spots all over her body, the circumference of each at > about1 - 2 cm. They are irregular shaped, purplish-brown in color, and > closely resemble liver spots in elderly people -- any ideas? anyone see Hi Ernie. Wow this sounds weird. Post to the FML, too, unless they're going away, as this is a limited group and these symtoms sound unusual. I had three thoughts: 1) growths 2) hair growing in 3) reaction to the distemper shot. I've never heard of growths all over the body; nor hair growing in irregular circles; nor any type of reaction like this. Is Faith perky? I hope someone can lend more help than me. Has she seen the vet and, if so, what was said? Good luck and give this rescue a little hug for me, please. Lynn McIntosh > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 19:23:42 -0600 > From: dave adams > Subject: Re:adrenal problems with no hair loss > > I just took my Bobo to the vet this am with a urinary problem--couldn't go > but just a drop---. He had a full bladder and could not void it. he had a > normal temperature and the blood work showed nothing way out of the > ordinary. an attempt was made to catherize him with no luck. Sugery > followed with the results being (1) cancerous left adrenal gland (2) stones > found in bladder (3) could not observe enlarged prostatic tissue and(4) > could not reverse catherize the urinary tract--possible blockage outside the > bladder. > > Someone had asked about the hair loss thing so i guess hair loss is not > always a necessary sign for adrenal problems. Wow... Shades of Percy... :( He blocked up, couldn't be catheterized, and died after a successful surgery during which his blockages were removed. His prostatic tissue was enlarged - showed up on the x-ray, but I think some vets may not know what to look for (since Percy had had adrenal surgery seven months prior when he was showing signs of increased urination, and the prostate was deemed normal). Hair loss is certainly not always bilateral and beginning with the tail and traveling up the back. Percy's wasn't. Wally's isn't (though we haven't sent his sample in for the Tennessee Adrenal Panel yet). As for an enlarged prostate I don't think much can be done surgically but my vet has used lupron to successfully shrink the prostate over time; lupron must be coupled with a treatment for the adrenal disease and she recommends lysodren. > I also am going to look back in the post for an operation where the lower > urinary tract of a male ferret was bypassed due to blockages. This is I > guess in a neutered male the equivalent to a sex change operation. If anyone > recalls the message and the vet I would appreciate the info in that it may > come to that with Bobo. I hope not but ======> I recall this message, but it was probably referring to the penis being amputated and the urethra sewn open - is it called a urethrotomy? I asked why this hadn't been done during Percy's surgery, as crystals were found, and related back to the enlarged prostate causing infection and irritation, and my vet said that it is done as a last resort for a complete urinary tract in fection in cats but not so often in ferrets, as it creates an opening for bacteria to travel in (worse because they're crawling on the floor I surmise). She was trying to buy time by removing the crystals, doing the reverse catheterization, etc., so we could get him started on Lysodren and Lupron, reversing the adrenal disease and shrinking the prostate (Lupron). > I have to go to the vet now to get him hope he is awake enough although i > saw him two hours ago just after he was stiched up. But, I thought they couldn't unblock him?... I guess Bobo's adrenal was removed and this may help, but my vet would definitely add lupron in to the picture, and perhaps lysodren at this point. If he's peeing now, it wouldn't hurt to keep a dipstick handy to test his urine regularly for infections. This would have saved Percy, as his infection wasn't evident like my cat's was. If I can be of any help please e-mail me, because Percy would like his story to help another adrenal fuzzy - he has a gargantuan heart, which I'm sure is cheering up any downtrodden at the Rainbow Bridge. Anyway, please keep us posted about Bobo. And anyone who has experienced urinary tract blockages in ferrets and can help, please do! I didn't get a chance to ask about Percy - he went so fast. Let's help Bobo!!!! Lynn, in fond memory of one big-hearted ferret, Percy > Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 19:56:32 -0600 > From: Barbara Gustafson > Subject: > > Troy Lynn, > > I'm interested in what you've said here as this is Tippie's problem to a T. > After three surgeries, the first removed the left adrenal at age one, > the other two exploratories, both of which found nothing, Tippie is > definitely showing all the signs but nothing is being found. > > Could you please find out the name of this drug for me? My vet also > suggested Lysodren but I've elected to try the holistic approach, as I > don't feel comfortable subjecting her to a chemo-drug. However if there > is a non-chemo treatment which could help her I'd sure like to give it a > try. > > Barb Gustafson (aka Boots) > > Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 11:14:36 -0600 > > From: Troy Lynn Eckart > > Subject: Re: Mary McCarty; Lysodren > > > > Another tidbit. > > Larry ordered a new drug. It is used for dogs that exhibit adrenal > > problems that are caused by the Pituitary (sp) Gland telling the > > adrenals to put out more hormones (not very technical am I). Could > > this be something that is happening in ferrets that the adrenals look > > fine but still show symptoms? Possibly. We will try the drug on the > > next little one that shows symptoms but adrenals look good. Also > > could this be why the adrenals go bad???? Hi Barb and Troy Lynn. Barb, I'll happily change your e-mail - no problem! I'm interested in hearing about this drug also. Cathy Delaney-Johnson, a ferret-loving vet, uses Lysodren (pulsed doses, as they do in dogs for adrenal disease, she says) and higher doses, as I recently posted. She also uses Lupron if the prostate is enlarged. She talks about a complex feedback mechanism between the pituatary and the adrenals that is interrupted by the Lupron; in any case, the hormone stimulation doesn't sound like an entirely either/or pituatary/adrenal situation. My understanding is the Lysodren kills off a part of the adrenal, the diseased part, but the Lupron acts on the pituatary which is somehow in volved in the feedback loop. Obviously, it was beyond my ken... anyone know more? You may be onto something (as usual) Troy Lynn! Just plain old Lynn 17.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Thu, 17 Jul 1997 17:07:54 -0400 From: "Mary L. McCarty" Subject: Thanks from Grimmy Thanks so much for all your help. I will get my friend the information and keep you posted on how it goes. I know Grimmy will send kisses to everyone as soon as he hears from me - thanks again! Mary ;-) Fatso, Skinny, Maggie & Sweet Pea In remembrance of Bear, gone to the Rainbow Bridge on June 28 1997 --------------------End of Adrenal List #25-------------------