Friday 3 of our little ones had adrenal surgery - 2 lefts (first time) and
1 right that involved the liver and the vena cava was ligated (2nd surgery).
L.G. had her left removed less than a year ago.  The right was affected at
that time but buried so deep in the fat that it was missed.  This time
Larry found it and felt terrible that he missed it the first time.  He
really had to dig this time to find it.  Please remind your vet to check
all around the adrenals when doing adrenal surgery, for the ferrets sake
(and your bank account too).  Spartan (from Iowa) also had a growth removed
from the back of his neck.  Ulysses (also from Iowa) had a barium xray to
try and figure out why he was not able to eat much and would vomit a frothy
liquid afterwards.  His stomach was distended so we decided on surgery.
 
Yesterday I took Ulysses for surgery.  Ulysses had surgery in Feb in Iowa
to remove his left adrenal, a kiwi size hairball, and a pancreatic tumor.
Yesterday Larry removed the right adrenal, had to ligate the vena cava, a
large tumor from the pancreas, a superficial tumor off the esophagus and
opened the muscle because of the constriction.  The stomach had been
distended with gas.  Larry said he'd done all he could and now it is up to
Ulysses and me.  Poor Ulysses has been through so much it makes my heart
hurt.  I want him to recover so that I can shower him with love and
affection.  Ulysses needs to recover.  He and Spartan were from the
Fredonia rescue back in late 1996.  Ulysses had a rough start and a few bad
spots in between.  He almost died at one point.  His will seems so very
strong, I hope we can bring him through this.
 
While at the vets yesterday, there was a 2 1/2 yr old in for her first
adrenal surgery.  I asked Larry to call Marshall farms and he said yes.
Marshall Farms needs to know their ferrets are showing adrenal problems at
such a young age (at any age for that matter) and who better to call than
the vets as well as the ferrets people.  When your vet does adrenal surgery
on your ferret(s), please ask them to call Marshall Farms too.
 
Please keep our little ones in your thoughts and prayers for a quick
recovery.  Ulysses could use a few extra prayers too.
 
Hugs to all. tle
[Posted in FML issue 2790]