>Chamois had thinning hair up until late November and my vet and I were
>concerned about Adrenal Disease, (he calls it cushings disease)but didn't
>want to rush because of the stress of being him being ill.
 
Lisa,
I e-mailed you privately, but I wanted to e-mail a part of that here on
the FML.
 
It bothers me that an educated professional will use one diagnosis and mean
another.  Unless, he really doesn't know that Cushing's disease is not the
same as the adrenal tumors that ferrets get.  Cushing's disease is a result
of long term excess of cortisol or other corticosteroids.  It can be from
a problem with the pituitary, or medications, or an adrenal tumor- but
one that is secreting the excess cortisol.  In ferrets the adrenal tumor
produces estrogen (?if it ever secretes cortisol too?)- and therefore, the
two diseases are different- although may have a similar cause in the case
of an adrenal tumor.  The other big difference is in the diagnosing of
the tumor- in ferrets if you run the blood tests for CUshing's you'll be
wasting your time.  That is why the Tennessee panel is the blood test you
need to do, if you are doing any blood tests.  If the vet doesn't know this
he will be wasting your money on the wrong tests.
 
Another reason why I love the FML- Yes, you should see your vet for
problems, but isn't it nice that we can get another opinion, especially
if it can help educate us and our vets.
 
Thank you again Dr. Williams for your unbelievable dedication to your work
and to the people on this list.
 
(I believe the large spleen is not a problem, maybe due to the chronic
inflammation from the ECE?)
 
Patty
[Posted in FML issue 3299]