To Mike concerning Buttercup:
 
        There are several factors that may delay hair regrowth in ferrets
following adrenalectomy.  One would be continued hyperactivity of the remaining
adrenal.  A second reason may be the duration and severity of the presurgical
hyperestrogenism.  As excessive estrogen causes atrophy of hair follicles, the
hair follicles may have taking a long time to return to full (hair-producing)
function.  It may also taken the stimulus of a change in season which normally
causes the shedding cycle to begin to bring her back into line.
 
        Let's monitor her condition for a while prior to doing another
surgery...
 
 
 
 
 
        To Red? concerning cedar chips -
 
        In many lab animal species - the aromatic nature of cedar chips can
cause allergic reactions, eye, tearing, etc.  The constant moisture on the face
and irritation of the sinuses can then lead to other problems.
 
        I always advise to stay away from cedar chips - there are much better
substitutes which are also much easier to clean when they are soiled....
 
Bruce Williams, DVM
[log in to unmask]
 
[Posted in FML issue 0669]