From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2000 3:40 PM To: FAIMLanon; FAIML Cc: faiml@uswest.net Subject: FAIML #428; May 28, 2000 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #428; May 28, 2000 1. Cappuchino 2. Lupron after removing adrenals? 3. More on Winnie 4. Guida (Ratty) has Crossed the Bridge 5. Chicken gravy The FERRET ADRENAL/INSULINOMA MAILING LIST (FAIML) is a group that's come together to share support and information about adrenal and insulinoma diseases. FAIML comes out in digest format three to six times per week, depending on the number of posts sent, and their surgency. FAIML information is the opinion, only, of subscribers, mostly ferret caretakers. It is not medical advice, comes with no guarantee of accuracy, and is not meant to replace the examination and medical oversight of a qualified veterinarian. If your ferret is sick or exhibiting signs of illness take your fur kid to the most ferret- experienced vet you can find! A ferret-experienced vet is one of the most important services you can provide to your ferret. TO POST: Write POST at the end of your subject heading (the more specific you can be in your subject heading, the better) and send to . URGENT POSTS: If you feel the message is urgent please mark it POST URGENT and I'll send it out to subscribers as soon as I can, then include the message in the next list. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: Please write POST ANONYMOUS after your subject heading if you don't want your address or last name published. SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE: Just use the one address for posts, subscription questions, requests, cancellations, comments, etc. The list is run by hand so just send me an email. ADRENAL/INSULINOMA WEBSITE: FAIML ARCHIVES/PHOTOS: Past FAIMLs are being archived, with a search feature, on Michael Janke's adrenal/insulinoma web site: . Michael is also kindly posting pictures of FAIML subscribers and the ferrets at this site in the FAIML Album. Check out his site for more info. PAM GREENE's FERRET FAQs: I suggest people read (and reread) Pamela Greene's Disease FAQ's on Insulin and Adrenal diseases, as they offer a good background. I forward them to all new subscribers, and will gladly send them upon request. I also send the "Disease Package", a file that tells how to get all six of Pamela Greene's FAQs on ferret diseases. Pam also has excellent FAQ's about general ferret care as well, and a link to these may be found on the FERRET CENTRAL web site: . THE FERRET MAILING LIST (FML): The FML has 3,000+ ferret-loving subscribers and the topic is simply ferrets, ferrets, and more ferrets. Moderated by Mr. Bill Gruber, it's a great source of ferret entertainment and information. Visit FERRET CENTRAL on the web (see paragraph above) for more info on the FML. To subscribe to the FML, send email to its moderator, Bill Gruber, at and ask to be added. You can also try subscribing automatically by sending email to with the command SUBSCRIBE FERRET in the body of the email. 1. Cappuchino Date sent: Fri, 26 May 2000 16:26:53 EDT From: Cjbandit@aol.com Julianna, Hi, I'm so sorry for you and Cappuccino. It sounds as if he really needs adrenal surgery, which I know you said is out. I know their is a great vet in you're area, Her name is Dr. Hoeffer or Dr. Rosenthall formerly from the Animal Medical Center in Manhattan, she is now located in Long Island. For the life of me I can't find the address and phone # that was e-mailed to me, but I'll post this on FMLA too and hopefully someone will respond with it. My ferret just had both adrenals removed because he had tumors in both and now he's doing wonderfully. I traveled to Dr. Weiss who is in Maryland, the cost is half of what you might may here. Don't give up though, even if you don't do surgery a ferret knowledgeable vet will provide you with choices. Sometimes Lupron is used when surgery cannot be done, it helps the symptoms of the disease. Is Cappuchino male?? Lupron is especially important then because the disease can cause a male ferrets prostrate to enlarge and therefore they become plugged or unable to urinate. The Lupron helps shrink the prostrate and make urination possible. I agree with you it is most important right now for you to find a ferret knowlegable vet so I hope someone out there knows where Dr. Rosenthall or Hoeffer is in Long Island. Please keep me posted & Good Luck, Christina 2. Lupron after removing adrenals? Date sent: Fri, 26 May 2000 09:27:02 -0400 From: "Melissa" Hi, This question is primarily for the vets. Does anybody know how Lupron works approx 3-4 years after 1 and 3/4 adrenals are removed? I understand that Lupron inhibits the secretion of hormones from the adrenal glands, but what if there are no glands left? Would it affect the "rouge" adrenal tissue from overproducing those hormones as well? Anyone have any personal experience with this? I have an 8.5 "multiply challenged" ferret with a return of adrenal symptoms and am wondering if this might still be a possibility. -Melissa __________________________________ http://members.aol.com/NYCFerrets http://home.att.net/~The_Ferrets __________________________________ 3. More on Winnie Date sent: Fri, 26 May 2000 10:08:52 EDT From: EquineAmy@aol.com Just wanted to update everyone on Winnie. Just yesterday I graduated from Rutgers University so things have been a bit hectic. I also moved back home which is even more crazy, so my mother has been babysitting my three fuzzies for teh past two weeks. As little time as my mother has, she knows how important my ferrets are to me (she is also a true animal lover). Winnie now has a little routine. Everymorning and every night right before her pediapred, she gets as much chicken babyfood as she pleases. She LOVES it. She does still eat plenty TF, but when she wants to, not when I want her to. However the babyfood she eats like treats - whenever I want her to, she is very willing. Anyway, she was pretty frail looking for a while and felt it too - she has put on some weight - looks GREAT now. Has gotten her usual flubs back (fat). And worst of all she never wants to sleep!!! Well, I guess that is good for her health,but not for me in the sense that everytime she hears me, she wakes right up and demands to be let out. So it looks like things are going well for her now. I still pray for her everyday and it all seems to be going well. Plus she gets a little alone time everyday w/o her bro and sis - that seems to make her even happier. Best wishes to all who have sick fuzzies don't give up - I thought I wwas going to - luckily I didn't. As frustrating as it was for a while - the outcome so far is well worth it! -Amy, Winnie, Chloe and Connor (who has been free from adrenal sympyoms for almost 10 months now - and looks better than he has his ENTIRE life) 4. Guida (Ratty) has Crossed the Bridge Date sent: Sat, 27 May 2000 13:49:54 -0700 (PDT) From: "Ann Siegel" It is with much sadness that I write my last post to the FAIML. My beautiful little girl Guida, also known as Little Rat, Ratty, Rat-monster, Stinky has passed away. She would have been 8 in September. I went to say goodbye to her before leaving to go to the store, and I found her in her "nest" basket, sleeping peacefully. I am completely shocked, as there were no warning signs that she was nearing death. She bounced back from adrenal surgery 3 months ago with no problems, tested negative for insulinoma, and at her last blood panel--done 2 weeks ago today--everything came back perfect. She was eating fine and drinking just this morning. And now she is gone. Guida was, and will be, my one and only ferret. I saw my first ferret when I was 9 years old, and wanted one ever since. I got Guida from a pet store when I was 23, and she was my faithful companion ever since. She moved with me 7 times, went to grad school with me, outlasted my boyfriend, and been the most loving, sweet pet imaginable. I have never laughed so hard as when I would find her stashes of tampons, lipstick, and the keys I thought I had lost. I was a learn-as-you-go ferret mom, and I know I made mistakes along the way...but she seemed to forgive me. She was the best. My only consolation is that I know she did not suffer. She just curled up to take a nap in her favorite spot, and did not wake up. No difficult treatment decisions to make, no pain, no suffering. I am hoping that she was just old and that it was her time to go. This is what I always wanted for her--I just wish I could have had more time with her. :( Thank you all for your support, kindness and advice over the years. You were the ones who referred me to Dr. Weiss when I moved up here, who helped me with resources when I had to take her to Pennsylvania for a month last year, when I debated surgery for her...whenever I needed you. I won't be getting another ferret--she was a joy and a delight but I can't cope with the pain and stress. Thank you again and please give your furkids an extra hug today--as my case shows, you never know when you will lose them. --Ann & Ratty...now with the angels 5. Chicken gravy Date sent: Fri, 26 May 2000 22:16:43 EDT From: Outlaw50@aol.com <> Barbara, Here's a link to a page that gives the recipe and tips for making it a little easier. I truly hope you'll try it. It works. Judy Bob Church's Chicken Gravy ----------------------- End of FAIML #428 -------------------------