From: Lynn Mcintosh [mctosh@u.washington.edu] Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 1998 11:33 PM To: FAIML Subject: Adrenal List #05 Hi Gang! Quick update: We have a new member I haven't mentioned yet, Alicia K. Drakiotes of Ferret Wise Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, a critical care and speciality facility. She and her director, Mary, are working with bi-lateral adrenal patients, though I don't have many details yet (though I did snag a recent FML post for this issue that gives a snapshop of some of the work she does), though have requested them. She has said she's very busy but will try and keep up with our list! Welcome Alicia! I'll shoot for getting a list out 2-3 times per week, one Saturday and one Tuesday and Thursday, or Wednesday, as time/posts allow. Keep those cross posts coming! Adrenal List #5, dated April 29, 1997: 1. Response to Posts 2. Answer to Barbara 3. Response/Timmy's Recipe Answers/Adrenal 4. Slinky, Scamper, Bear, Sully, Sarah, Felix, Chuckles 5. Cathy Johnson-Delaney, DVM: Current Adrenal Article to VetRap, a publication of Seattle-King County Vet Medical Association 6..... Ligating the Vena Cava 7. Rt Adrenal Gland Tumor - Ligation 8. Barb's Response re: Ligating the Vena Cava 9. Post to FML/Adrenal List re: Adrenal/Chemo 10. Chemo (Adrenal); AOL Vets? 11. FML Posts: Adrenal Disease without swollen vulva Chemo (Adrenal); AOL Vets? 1. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 12:05:39 -0600 From: Barbara Gustafson Subject: Response to Posts Lynn, First let me say I'm so pleased to see the group growing by leaps and bounds. I don't envy you the task of having to organize the messages into a list. I hope you're not starting to feel like you've jumped from the frying pan into the fire. You're doing an excellent job! I have several comments and questions. First regarding the posting by Gary Holowicki, I'm very interested in this recipe he's using for his ferts. I have printed it off and will start trying to gather the ingredients this week, however I do have a few questions. 1) How much does this recipe make? A gallon more/less? 2) Can it be frozen into individual portions once its made up? 3) It appears as though most of these ingredients can be purchased at a health food store. Is that correct? 4) What is CoQ10? Is this a medication that I'll need to get my vet to prescribe? 5) You mention in a footnote something called Drenamin 3650 for ferts with adrenal problems, again is this a medication? Would I add it to the food or give separately? 6) Same question as above with Immuplex 4960 which you mention for lymphoma. 7) I have two ferts with adrenal problems and one with suspected lymphoma, can I add # 5 & 6 above to the recipe and give to all three ferts? 8) One of my ferrets is taking Prednisone and Florinef Acetate, will this cause any problems with the diet? As a footnote to the above, Gary I've forwarded this recipe to several other people who appear interested but at the same time are confused by all the strange ingredients. I'm from Canada so don't have access to the same sources that you used. I'm hoping that most of the ingredients are available from either a health food or veterinarian. The only one I'm not sure about is the Wysong F-(feline) Biotic supplement, which sound like a product specific to your location. Any suggestions as to alternate products for this? SECOND: Comment to Gabby's introduction. Tippie's tail never grew the hair back after her first surgery in '95, her tail is frequently ice cold. It doesn't appear to bother her though when she'll hold still long enough I wrap my hand around it to try and warm it up. Maybe we could get rich knitting tail warmers!!!! THIRD: Dixie, I'm glad to hear that you were finally able to find a vet with ferret knowledge and that Nickodemus made it through his surgery fine. Give him a sloppy kiss for me and tell him he must take his medicine like a good boy cause it's gonna make him all better. FOURTH: Re: Vena Cava Ligation, Lynn I wonder if it would be possible to persuade Janet and/or Shari to get in touch with their vets and have them put together a small paper for us on the procedure, what to do or not to do etc. I think if we had more information that we could pass on to our vets about this it would be beneficial to all. I'm fairly certain my vet wasn't even aware of this procedure back in February when Hobie had his right adrenal removed. FIFTH: Speaking of Hobie, he is my eleven year old who in early February of this year had his right adrenal removed. His left was removed in '94/'95 (?). I'm trying to located the receipt to be certain of time frames. I would never have put him through this but he also had a tumor on his urinary track that if not removed would have become life threatening. It was a rough few days afterwards but he bounced back and seems to be doing just fine. He will be on Florinef Acetate and Prednisone for the remainder of his live, but so far there do not seem to be any side effects from this. He may not be the best example to use of a ferret with no adrenal glands because of his age, he is not very strong anymore and won't eat solid foods but like the duracell bunny he just keeps on going. Well, that's all I can think of for now, hope this isn't too too long. Dooks and kisses to all from Hobie, Tippie and Boots. Oh and me too. 2. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 13:13:13 -0700 (PDT) From: Lynn Mcintosh To: Barbara Gustafson Subject: Answer to Barbara On Sun, 27 Apr 1997, Barbara Gustafson wrote: > First let me say I'm so pleased to see the group growing by leaps and > bounds. I don't envy you the task of having to organize the messages into > a list. I hope you're not starting to feel like you've jumped from the > frying pan into the fire. You're doing an excellent job! Hi there Barbara. Thank you SO MUCH for your kind words. I'm actually rejoining the land of the living today after a nasty, nasty virus knocked me into bed for a couple days, which means cleaning clothes and house - fun! Thank you so much for your encouragement. I anticipate that organizing the messages will take less time as I get better organized. It's really not too bad. I don't mind being in the fire, but I have been wondering if anyone really wanted to be in here with me! I went from an address group to a list overnight, literally, but it seemed like the way to go. I hope the topic doesn't get too depressing, but gosh, I want more information than three vets, all good, but all with different opinions, give me. I want to hear about what's really worked and what hasn't from ferret parents! And with Percy's rump thinning out I need all the info, and support, I can get. Thank you for the great post. I was hoping people would start to reply to each other! Your idea of getting in touch with Janet and Shari and persuading them to ask their vets to write some info up is excellent! Would you like to take this on? If not, I will be glad to. It is Percy's right adrenal that was the larger of the two, so I also have a personal stake in this. I thought you wouldn't mind if I passed on the posting to Gary to him, as he didn't ask to be in the group, and I'll ask him to send his reply for posting, if he doesn't mind. Thanks again Barbara! Lynn NOTE: Gary has now joined the group and his answer follows. 3.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 22:43:23 -0700 From: Gary Holowicki To: barbg@oanet.com Subject: Response/Timmy's Recipe Answers/Adrenal Hi Barb; I'll try to short answer your questions, then list Timmy's revised recipe.. Your questions have promped me to add a "notes" section trying to anser these questions for anyone else that might read it. I also have re-structured it for (hopefully) easier reading. Please let me know if this is easier to read. Your Specific questions: 1) How much does this recipe make? A gallon more/less? about a pint for my 9 ferrets. 2) Can it be frozen into individual portions once its made up? Frozen, I haven't tried... refrigerated does not work.. See notes section. 3) It appears as though most of these ingredients can be purchased at a health food store. Is that correct? Yes, almost all are sold for human consumption save for a couple of the vitamins that come from "vet sources", but they wouldn't hurt us humans if taken. 4) What is CoQ10? Is this a medication that I'll need to get my vet to prescribe? It's a "co-enzyme" which is sold in all health food stores, non Rx. Used to boulster the immune & circulitory system. 5) You mention in a footnote something called Drenamin 3650 for ferts with adrenal problems, again is this a medication? Would I add it to the food or give separately? It is a holistic preparation, non Rx. It can be had from a holistic vet or chiropractor, or the store I list in the notes. 6) Same question as above with Immuplex 4960 which you mention for lymphoma. Same answer as #5. 7) I have two ferts with adrenal problems and one with suspected lymphoma, can I add # 5 & 6 above to the recipe and give to all three ferts? Yes, I have and they do not interact adversely. 8) One of my ferrets is taking Prednisone and Florinef Acetate, will this cause any problems with the diet? I have heard of NO reports of the ingredients nor the combination to badly affect or interfere any Rx a vet may precsribe. Understand this is not a "medical" research thing with controlled statistics. This is something that I see working with my perso nal ferrets, and I share the information so others may benefit. I have heard positive things from all over the world & Timmy's story has just been published in the book "Super Nutrition For Animals"..:) Note the date on the recipe is post-dated, I welcome any comments you may have:) +++++++++++++++++++++++++ Timmy's recipe, updated 4/5/97... NOTE: I sent the updated 4/5/97 recipe to the group April 22, so I won't republish it here, but have it saved in the Adrenal List files and will happily forward it upon request. Thanks Gary, for your dedication, success stories, and thoroughness! 4.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 30 Apr 1997 00:14:22 +0000 From: Beth Subject: Slinky, Scamper, Bear, Sully, Sarah, Felix, Chuckles Hi, Just an introduction as I have been reading faithfully but haven't had time to introduce my ferrets. I've been owned by 7 ferrets over the past 12 years. These are my ferrets in the order I acquired them. Slinky - Insulinomas died at age 6, (had spleen removed.) Scamper - Adrenal disease died at age 6 1/2. Did not do surgery. Bear - Adrenal disease -surgery done, left adrenal removed & a mass taken off the pancreas,had never showed signs of insulinomas. died at age 5 a few months after the surgery, never grew fur back Sully - MF age 4 showing signs of adrenal disease- hair loss, bites Felix on the neck while he's sleeping, has an enlarged spleen & should have his teeth cleaned soon. Sarah -adopted at age 1 1/2 & is now 3 years old & healthy. Felix - MF 2 years old, healthy & Modern Ferret's issue #9 centerfold (sorry, just had to tell you all!:) Chuckles - MF adopted at an unknown age, dumped at a pet store. He was almost completely bald with a strong smell, overweight,cruddy skin & huge lymph nodes. Without surgery he grew a lot of fur back but sadly I only had him for 5 months before he died. I know he was loved by us & the other ferrets. I'm so concerned about adrenal disease because out of my 7 ferrets the 1st did not have signs of adrenal disease but the next 4 ferrets have. Sarah & Felix are both young enough that I wouldn't expect to see any signs yet. My main concern now is Sully who has only recently lost his fur. Should I have the surgery done or not??? Bear had the surgery & was rejected by the others which was so sad to see. He appeared to recover from the surgery but was never the same. I'm interested to hear if people have chosen surgery or not & why. Any ideas on life span after surgery? My vet also will not consider Lysodren for adrenal disease. He said it's unpredictable, not effective & makes them too sick. It seems like the only options are surgery or do nothing. Opinions? Looking forward to getting to know you & your ferrets. Great idea Lynn! Beth 5.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 23:06:13 EDT From: Cathy Johnson/Delaney, DVM Subject: Cathy Johnson-Delaney, DVM: Current Adrenal Article to VetRap, a publication of Seattle-King County Vet Medical Association MODERATOR'S NOTE: Hi. Cathy Johnson-Delaney sent this to me; it's an article she published in VetRap, a publication of the Seattle King County Medical Association. Hopefully we'll see an update of her personal ferrets bi-lateral adrenalectomy success story, and details of Cathy's personal clinical treatment for him in an upcoming list! Cathy practices veterinary medicine in King County, and works for the UW Primate Center. She's very busy and won't be receiving the list, but is willing to help us out with info here and there. Cathy writes: Below is my article from recent Seattle King Co VMA newsletter Hope this helps some. Cathy Adrenal Cortical Disease in Ferrets Cathy A. Johnson-Delaney, DVM Washington Regional Primate Research Center Univ of Washington, Seattle, WA and Exotic Pet & Bird Clinic Kirkland, WA Adrenal Cortical Disease (ACD) is most commonly seen in middle-aged to older ferrets, but has been seen in ferrets under one year of age that were ovariectomized/orchiectomized at 4-12 weeks of age. It commonly occurs concurrently with insulinomas. Changes can be: adrenocortical hyperplasia, adenoma, or adenocarcinoma. Metastasis is rare, but has occurred with adenocarcinoma. The major clinical signs are alopecia, particularly of the tail and rump, and in the female, a swollen vulva. As the disease progresses in the male, prostatic cysts are common and may occlude the urethra. A non-specific pruritis, muscle atrophy, hindlimb weakness, and a return to sexual behavior in neutered ferrets may be seen. Signs are attributable to hyperadrenocorticism although estradiol, not cortisol, is the primary elevated hormone, occasionally along with other sex steroids. Diagnosis is based on clinical signs, serum hormonal levels, ultrasonagraphic changes with confirmation at surgery, with histopathology of the excised gland or portion of the gland. ACTH stimulation tests are not useful. Serum estradiol1 and urinary cortisol:creatinine ratios may be more useful.2 A serum endocrine panel is recommended in cases where estradiol may not be the only steroid involved.3 An enlarged adrenal gland or glands may be detected on ultrasound. Predominantly the left gland is affected, but in approximately 10% both glands are involved. With bilateral adrenal involvement, the larger gland should be removed, and a subtotal adrenalectomy should be performed on the remaining gland. The right adrenal gland may be overlying and/or firmly adherent to the caudal vena cava, and in some instances there seems to be direct vascularization into the gland. There is often little maneuvering room to ligate or use hemaclips around the gland without damaging the cvc. During surgical manipulation of the gland(s), heart rate and blood pressure may dramatically increase, followed by a plunge in both following ligation. A biopsy of the pancreas should be done if insulinoma is suspected. Postoperatively, the swollen vulva regresses in days, but the alopecia may take months to resolve. Some never fully regrow the hair to previous coat color/consistency. Prostatic cysts will regress at variable rates. Recurrence of the condition involving the remaining gland or tissue within a year is predictable. If nonsurgical treatment is desired, a protocol using lysodren can be tried. Anecdotally, it works better in adenomas than in adenocarcinomas. In the author’s opinion, chemotherapy should be utilized when surgery is no longer an option. Lysodren (mitotane) is used at 50 mg/kg PO SID 7 days, then at 25-50 mg/kg PO EOD ad infinitum depending on effects. In the author’s experience, 100-250 mg per week per ferret may be needed. Leuprolide acetate4 may be an extremely useful adjunct therapy along with the lysodren. Administered at 100mcg/kg IM every 3 weeks, it suppresses sex steroidogenesis. It inhibits the growth of hormone-dependent tumors and tissues. Effects include reduction in size of the prostate or vulva, and hair growth through follicle reactivation. Use of this drug in ferrets is just being tried, but based on initial uses, it seems very successful. 1. Wagner, RA, Dorn DP: Evaluation of serum estradiol concentrations in alopecic ferrets with adrenal gland tumors. Journal Am Vet Med Assoc 1994, 205(5): 703-707 2.. Gould, WJ, Reimers, TJ, Bell, JA, et al. Evaluation of urinary cortisol: creatinine ratios for the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism associated with adrenal gland tumors in ferrets. Journal Am Vet Med Assoc 1995, 206 (1): 42-46, 3.Ferret Endocrine (Adrenal Disease) Panel: Assay for dihydroepiandrosterone sulfate, estradiol, androstenadion, 17-OH-progesterone (90% of cases, one or more can be elevated in cases of adrenal disease). If only estradiol is elevated, rule out ovarian remnant/intact ovary.) Cost is $ 75.00. Requires 0.5-1.0 ml of serum. Endocrinology Lab at the Univ of Tennessee. 423-974-5638, ask for Betsy Bailey, request Ferret Adrenal Panel. Consultation and /or interpretation is available from Dr. Karen Rosenthal: 212-838-8100 AMC NY. In cases of adrenal disease with prostate enlargement, run estradiol and testosterone. 4. Leuprolide acetate (Lupron DepotÒ, TAP Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Deerfield, IL, 60015 1-800-622-2011[Takeda Chemical Industries, Ltd., Osaka, Japan 541]): 100 mcg/kg IM q 3 weeks. Drug must be reconsitituted with sterile water (or its manufacturers diluent), divided into dose ampules, frozen at -70°F to -80°F. Additional references: Johnson-Delaney, CA. Exotic Companion Pet Medicine Handbook. Wingers Publishing, Lake Worth, FL, 1996. Rosenthal, KR: Ferrets. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1994 24 (1): 1-24. Williams, BH. Pathology of the domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo L.), Ferret Pathology Home Page on the Internet. Contact via email: Williams@afip.mil, 1995 6. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 21:08:51 -0700 (PDT) From: Lynn Mcintosh To: ferret fml Cc: Shari Diane , Janet Lachowsky ; Subject: Ligating Vena Cava > Date: Mon, 14 Apr 1997 19:04:06 -0400 > From: Janet Lachowsky > Subject: Re: Pouka a adrenlectomy sucess story > that ferrets had enough alternate blood supply that you could shut off the > vena cava (main vain to return blood to the heart) and they could still live > a active life, but he had never had to try it. Well guess what > friends......he had to as well as take out part of his liver. It is one > month after surgery and we still have pink toes and no swelling. Pouka gave > Date: Mon, 21 Apr 1997 14:13:20 -0400 > From: Shari Diane > Subject: Vena Cava Ligation in Rt Gland > Rogue (a 3yo female) went *back* under the knife last Thursday.The first >surgery in March found the tumor in the right gland,and the vet decided it >was inoperable. The owner was able to get the vet to research information >and consult with other nationally-known ferret vets on de-bulking and/or... > The venacava was ligated successfully. Her owner says Rogue is doing fine, > > Shari Gunter Wonderful news, Janet and Shari! These are very noteable stories for all of us who love ferrets, and especially those of us who have adrenal fur kids.. Please keep us updated on how Pouka and Rogue continue to do. Does anyone know where to get written info on ligating the vena cava? In answering, please let me know if it's okay to post the answers to our adrenal group. If anyone wants more info about, or to be added to, the adrenal group list, please write me. Thanks! Lynn Mc. and the Gang of 8 furzies 7.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 14:25:56 -0400 (EDT) From: ShariDiane@aol.com To: ferret-list@cunyvm.cuny.edu Cc: JBForest@aol.com, Lynn McIntosh Subject: Rt Adrenal Gland Tumor - Ligation Lynn Mc., Janet, and FML: Rogue had her stitches taken out Monday 4/28. She is doing great! Although, I did have a frantic call from her owner on Sunday at 11pm - earlier in the day, Rogue had a bloody pee/poop (hard to tell with a female), and later in the day, a normal pee/poop. Our local after hours emergency clinic refused to get in touch with the vet who did the specialized surgery, but would "watch" her overnight...The owner and I concluded that the second potty was a good sign and to call the vet first thing in the morning (7:30am) and see if they should up their scheduled appointment time from 11:30am to immediate. The vet examined Rogue at 11:30am, and seriously doubted the blood was from the vena cava surgery, but more likely from the decreased vulva swelling (discharge). FYI. Shari Gunter Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina http://www.trifl.org 8.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 19:41:35 -0600 From: Barbara Gustafson Subject: Barb's Response re: Ligating the Vena Cava NOTE: Barb suggested I get in touch with Janet and Shari to get something in writing about this procedure from their vets. This was her response to me. (Also an earlier response regarding her questions to Gary Holowicki) >On Sun, 27 Apr 1997, Lynn Mcintosh wrote: > Your idea of getting in touch with Janet and Shari and > persuading them to ask their vets to write some info up is excellent! > Would you like to take this on? If not, I will be glad to. It is Percy's > right adrenal that was the larger of the two, so I also have a personal > stake in this. Lynn, I would be happy to put a request together and post it to them. May be the weekend before I get a chance! Should I also cc you so you can post to the group? > I thought you wouldn't mind if I passed on the posting to Gary to him, as > he didn't ask to be in the group, and I'll ask him to send his reply for > posting, if he doesn't mind. Thanks for forwarding this to Gary for me, I didn't realize he wasn't part of the group. I'm going to give this recipe a try and will let everyone know what benefits if any will come from it. I already checked with my vet and he said go for it! I'm having trouble tracking down one or two of the ingredients but I won't give up. 9.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sat, 26 Apr 1997 16:27:32 -0700 (PDT) From: Lynn Mcintosh To: FML; Adrenal List Subject: Post to FML/Adrenal List re: Adrenal/Chemo > Date: Fri, 25 Apr 1997 18:18:33 -0700 > From: Patricia Curtis > Subject: Re: Lydia > > >From: Sterling Killian > >My ferret Lydia has had her left adrenal gland removed and has regrown all > >her hair. ( The surgery was nearly two years ago) She now takes lysodrin > >for maintenance because as soon as the one was removed the other became a > > problem. She is now experiencing swelling of the vulva which gets better > and can entail many problems for the ferret as time passes. I would suspect > the frequency of dosage with Lysodren should be increased, but you'll need a > vet to confirm this. The goal is to get the ferret on whatever amount of > Lyosdren (within reason) it takes to keep the vulval swelling down and other > symptoms in check. > Trish, Director, Ferrets First Rescue & Shelter I have a friend whose vet is suggesting other chemo drugs than Lysodren, which my vet says is a chemo drug. It would involve putting a "button" at in the neck through which to administer chemo, and it is not an inexpensive process. She is willing to pay to help her ferret but would like to hear some success stories from other adrenal ferret parents before leaping in. Her ferret is also experiencing vulval swelling (after two adrenal surgeries) and the vet doesn't recommend Lysodren, reasoning that it affects cortizone-secreting cells, but not estrogen-secreting cells. This is pertinent to me as well, as I have a ferret who is still exhibiting symtoms of adrenal disease after having a partial adrenalectomy. Does anyone have info about chemo, versus Lysodren, for treating adrenal disease (when surgery is no longer an option)? Thank You, Lynn 10.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 17:11:28 -0700 (PDT) To: ferret fml Cc: Hillary Gorman Subject: Chemo (Adrenal); AOL Vets? Copied to Adrenal List > Date: Sun, 27 Apr 1997 17:36:43 -0400 > From: Hillary Gorman > Subject: About Chemotherapy... > > >From: Lynn Mcintosh > >Subject: Adrenal: Chemo, Group List >>Does anyone have info about chemo, versus Lysodren, for treating adrenal > >disease (when surgery is no longer an option)? Hillary wrote: >> just wanted to briefly de-lurk to straighten out what seems to be a > common point of confusion about chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is simply >>"treatment of disease, usually cancer, by chemicals." ...personally, I find it helpful to be more precise. Hi Hillary. You're right of course. I should have written "info about other chemos, besides Lysodren, for treating adrenal disease". A vet in town is suggesting drugs other than Lysodren, reasoning, as I've been told by a client of the vet's, that Lysodren kills off cortisone-secreting adrenal cells but is not effective, or as effective, against estrogen-secreting adrenal cells. So to simplify my question, has anyone any experience with chemo drugs other than Lysodren for treating adrenal disease (usually, when surgery is no longer an option)? Can anyone provide any references to articles or firsthand stories of ferrets receiving other chemo treatments for adrenal disease? Hey Pam, do you have the names of the chemo drugs your vets recommend? What side effects are involved? Who else is using the drugs? Any idea of longterm negative effects/things to watch for? I already know it's EXPENSIVE, caps intended, not that that's a barrier, but it would be nice to hear some success stories first! I'm certainly not advocating one over the other, as I've heard good things and great success (as well as unsuccessful) stories about Lysodren. (I think I would at least try a chemo drug, given the option. I might try Lysodren first, before launching on the more expensive course, depending on the info I got). Just that I may be looking at what to do when surgery is not an option in the future, and I have a friend who is looking at that decision now. We're on the West Coast where vets aren't as experienced due to less ferrets than on the East Coast, though we have darn dedicated vets and some with pretty good ferret experience. For example, of the experienced, one vet doesn't prescribe Lysodren (reasoning unknown potential toxic effects), another prescribes different chemo drugs, (another might prescribe Lysodren)... all good vets... lots of differences... not near as many ferrets to practice on as in the East, though hopefully more and more. This would probably be a good question for the AOL small animal vets - does anyone know anything about this service on AOL? Or subscribe? Is this something someone would/could ask there? Or do you need to be a vet? Replies will be cc'd to the Adrenal List, unless requested otherwise. For info about the Adrenal List, write me - anyone is welcome! Thanks and hugs to all the fuzzies, Lynn Mc. 11.---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 29 Apr 1997 16:14:14 -0700 (PDT) From: Lynn Mcintosh Subject: FML Posts: Adrenal Disease without swollen vulva On Tue, 29 Apr 1997, Automatic digest processor wrote: ----------------- > > Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 08:15:35 -0400 > From: Linda Iroff > Subject: re- adrenal without vulva s > > Elayne > We just had a 2 1/2 year old Marshall Farms female come to the shelter with > a bare lower back. Her vulva is normal. She has a large flabby stomach and > a rougher coat than I would expect from a ferret that was eating only Iams > Kitten. She is VERY active and playful. > > Bev will be examining her this evening. I will also call the former owners > and see if they can tell me how long she has had the hair loss, and if they > ever noticed vulval swelling. > > Linda Iroff > North Coast Ferret Shelter > Serving Northeast Ohio > http://www.oberlin.edu/~liroff/ncfs.html > > ------------------------------ > > Date: Mon, 28 Apr 1997 11:12:39 -0400 > From: Alicia K Drakiotes > Subject: Adrenal disease symptoms - no swollen vulva > > This reply is for Elayne who asked if other ferrets (female) were found to > have adrenal disease without swelling of vulva. We preformed six adrenal > surgeries on shelter kids last year, four of which were females, only one > had a swollen vulva. The others had hair loss. > > The two males had balding patterns, one also had multiple cancers and was > not revived. > > So far this year we have done or assisted families with 8 ferrets - 6 > females (2 with swollen vulvas) otherwise all had the symptomatic hair loss. > > It is not always a swollen vulva that denoted affected adrenals, and I would > caution those with balding ferrets that waiting for the vulva to swell > before the surgery option may in fact give the gland more time to affect > other organs. If you have a question please see a vet-- The other side to > this argument is that we have seen female ferrets in beautiful show coat-- > and evidencing a swollen vulva-- clearly each animal will vary in > demonstrating the symptomatic signs of adrenal disease. > > Fondly in ferrets, > Alicia > a shelter Mom -------------------------End of Adrenal List #5-------------------------