I can't believe this is happening again.  Two years ago, Rikki, our first
ferret was diagnosed with adrenal disease.  After a year of surgery,
medication, and no lack of effort by our vet, she passed away.
 
Our second ferret, Nikita is 5 years old.  About 2 weeks ago I noticed that
her vulva was slightly larger than normal.  I had noticed her hair thinning
all over her body, but assumed it was just the normal summer time shed.
 
Well, last night I notice that the hair loss seems more prevalent around the
base of her tail, and her vulva is a little larger than it was before.  Her
symptons are slightly different than Rikki, for example Rikki lost her hair
at a much faster rate, and her vulva was much larger.
 
My question , is there an accurate way to test adrenal disease?  Can a vet
tell if she has tumors on only one or both glands?  What is the ferret's
life expectancy if adrenal disease goes untreated?  Do drugs used for
adrenal illness work better when used early on?
 
I am seriously considering not putting Nikita through adrenal surgery.
After what Rikki had to endure during her last year of life, she ended up
dying after her third Surgery.  I have had a real hard time learning to live
with her death.  Not only that, but Nikita is so tiny, she has always
weighed right around a pound.  I don't know if such a tiny little thing will
survive adrenal surgery.
 
If anyone asked my advice about adrenal surgery, I would tell them to get
the surgery, immediatly.  As a matter of fact, If I was reading this post
from anyone else, I would tell them to please reconsider, Nikita deserves
the chance at a longer life.  But please understand that the idea of leaving
her at the Vet for this surgery Terrifies me.  If I new beyond a shadow of a
doubt that the surgery would prolong her life, and she would never need to
go under the knife again, I would probably change my mind.
 
I would like to here from people who have had success with this surgery, as
well as anyone who chose not to do the surgery.  If you are a vet, can you
give me any information on the life expectancy of a ferret after it has been
diagnosed with adrenal disease?
 
Thanks
Adrienne
[Posted in FML issue 1675]