**The advice dispensed by myself in reference to FML postings is not meant
to supplant the advice of veterinarians who are in charge of the patient.
If the patient is not currently under the care of a veterinarian, the client
is recommended to take their ferret to one.**
 
>From:    Troy Lynn Eckart <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Gizzies Surgery
>Gizzie's ex-rays showed a mass near the bladder.  The mass was large so we
>decided on an exploratory surgery to see if it could be removed.
 
Troy Lynn e-mailed me directly and I have talked to her vet via telephone.
We are seeing a lot of male, neutered ferrets develop prostate problems
secondary to the testosterone/androgen secretions secondary to hyper adrenal
disease.  The prostates can be cystic, abscesses, malformed, etc.  They can
also close down on the urethra (the tube from the bladder to the tip of the
penis) and cause a urinary tract obstruction.
 
The treatment is to deal with the adrenal disease (see FAQ).
Troy Lynn e-mailed today and the biopsy came back prostate tissue.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH.
[Posted in FML issue 1623]