>You're absolutely right - lethargy is the major symptom of an >adrenal-insufficient ferret, and it can be difficult to determine whether >it is du to the recent surgery or to a lack of mineralocorticoid hormones. >However, we see it far less in ferrets than in humans, and probably in >less than 50% of ferrets. We rarely do accurate bilateral adrenalectomies >in ferrets due to the positioning of the adrenal glands - so we don't see >Addison's disease in all of the cases. If you think that you are dealing >with adrenal insufficiency, then let's get a blood test to check the >levels of electrolytes, which become deranged in the absence of >mineralocorticoids. It is often an instinctive thing on the part of the >owner, who knows that the ferret isn't making good progress after surgery. >Bruce Williams, dVM Thanks for the info Dr. Williams! Actually, she is doing better now. She has perked up considerably. She has started to be awake more, and she's more active around the house. Although she does poop out quickly, she does interact and play more readily. She has a penchant for stealing wrappers and nipping the other ferrets to keep them in line! ;) It seems that she is starting to grow some hair back on her tail too! The next task is to watch to make sure her vulva go down (they are quite swollen still) and her overwhelming odor decreases (I'm not sure if that's going to happen or not. I am going to hold off on blood tests for the moment. I am going to make a follow up with the vet who took care of her adrenal surgeries at the beginning of March, just for a check up. I think, though, she is starting to make good progress. Thank you again for your kind reply and gracious help. You've no idea as to how much help you are to all the ferret owners, and how much at ease you make us feel with your honest replies. --Julie [Posted in FML issue 3330]