Kat....and all other gentle readers.....
 
I just went through this with my 8 year old Snorkle.  Had quite an
interesting conversation with my vet, Dr. Katie Rohrer-Weldon, VMD,
regarding this phenomenon.
 
She is convinced it is the diet.  No finger pointing at a specific food,
just the diets' we feed our fuzzies.  She says she has noticed it more
among ferrets that are fed cat/kitten foods, but ferrets that are fed
exclusively ferret formulated foods are susceptible as well.  (As is the
case with Snorkle)
 
For two months, Snork is going on a special food called Hill's
Prescription diet, S/D, that helps dissolve the crystals in his bladder,
then, when he goes back to his regular diet, he will get extra Vitamin C
to help control the ph of the bladder, thus preventing crystal formation.
 
In Snork's case, even though he is adrenal, (He is also starting the 4
month Lupron depot and Pediapred for a low blood sugar reading [65
average]) the prostate was not the cause of the blockage and no infection
was present in the urinary tract, just crystals, therefore a regimen of
antibiotics was not called for.
 
This MF boy is gonna make it to 10 as all my 3 spirits did!  Actually,
this is his first illness of any kind, he is a strong, 'go getter', 8
year old.  Unless his health fails suddenly, I do believe 10 is a
reasonable expectation for him.
 
For our ferrets!
 
MC, the Rude One
(With Snorkle, Tuzigoot, Bancho, and Artemus.  In spirit: Bubba,
Billy-Bob, and Garret)
[Posted in FML issue 3841]