One of my carpet sharks, Sherlock, (2 lb. male shelter adoptee of
unknown age, at least 5 yrs.) had a few displays of return-to-male sexual
behavior early this year.  I took him to my ferret-knowledgeable vet,
who gave him a physical and said we shouldn't base an adrenal neoplasia
diagnosis on only 3 episodes in several months.  I have been keeping a
VERY CLOSE eye on him, and he hasn't done "it" in a couple months!  He
has no other classic adrenal n.
 
symptoms: no hair-loss, palpable masses, urinary issues, general
aggressiveness, etc.  I have lost 2 other shelter adoptee males to
adrenal n. already (Silas due to urinary blockage from undiagnosed
adrenal n. and Froggus while recovering in post op) and I don't want
either of those tragedies repeated if we can avoid them.  At my vets
suggestion I have been investigating giving Sherlock melatonin
supplements, but it seams like it might mask the very symptoms I am
looking for!  I don't want to delay any needed surgery, and I am afraid
that masking any developing symptoms might lead to that.  Do any vets
or others have potential adrenal neoplasia and melatonin experience?
If anyone recommends it, please provide dosage and timing guidance.
 
Also, while I have been paying extra attention to Sherlock over the past
several months, I have noticed him occasionally displaying very mild
hind-leg weakness.  It is mild in that he still has apparently normal
mobility, but he frequently seams to favor one or the other leg, limping,
and he may be taking breaks and not playing quite as much as he used to.
It is so mild that it took me a week to convince myself that he wasn't
just being silly, as he is a very silly ferret.  There is a chance
that he has a minor injury from playing with our dog, but there was no
traumatic onset of Sherlock's problem (the dog is young and excitable but
has always adopted her best behavior around the ferrets).  Sherlock is
eating, drinking, pooping, and peeing normally.  Blood work was done when
he got a physical a couple months ago.  Everything appeared normal then;
his glucose was boarder line low, but he had fasted for 7 hours.  So far
I have never had to deal with insulinoma in any of my eight past or
present critters.  We will see if our time may be up.
 
Since he is currently not displaying adrenal n. symptoms and his weakness
issue is mild and infrequent, my vet scheduled a physical (w/ non-fasting
glucose) for him in one month, earlier if a change is noticed. In the
mean time, I will keep Nutrocal on hand in case of "crash" symptoms.
We might have the TN panel done then as well if he still has no other
adrenal symptoms, but I am hesitant to invest the money in the test when
the results are not definitive.  The vet tech suggested investigating
glucosamine & chondroitin supplements for Sherlock's rear end issues
until his vet visit to see if we notice any effect.  Has anyone used
glucosamine & chondroitin supplements for their aging ferrets with any
noticeable results?  If anyone recommends it, please provide dosage
guidance.
 
Any advice or leads are welcome.  I also posted this on the Ferret Health
List.
[Posted in FML issue 4153]