Dear Chris,
 
I tried to email you directly, it just bounces, so here is my reply...
 
The safest way to determine if a ferret needs adrenal surgery is to do an
ultrasound test, this can locate the tumor *exactly* and show the size of it
so that the vet knows what will be involved in the surgery *before* going
in.  In some cases there is cancer, or the adrenal tumor has spread so far
as to make it inoperable, an ultrasound test will show this and spare a
ferret with a serious problem from having to undergo surgery when it would
not really help at all (in some cases, things worsen with surgery).
 
An ultrasound will usually not show if there is leftover ovarian tissue that
is causing the swelling.  Hormone injections to bring the ferret
*artificially* out of heat, will tell your vet whether it is ovarian related.
 
Be sure your vet is skilled in ferret surgeries, especially ovarian/adrenal.
Anesthetic should be Isolforane!!!
 
As for *fattening* the ferret before surgery...  Duck Soup is for ferrets
that will not eat on their own, it does usually put weight on ferrets (that
are not suffering from adrenal problems)but it is not "good fat" it is only
empty, fatty calories that Sustacal and others contain.  But when a ferret
won't eat at all, at least it gets them through the worst part and they can
be saved.  Duck Soup is not something ferrets will eat easily either, it
often has to be force-fed.  Why would you want to do this with your little
one who is already eating on her own now?
 
The best pre-surgery care you can give your ferret is four weeks on Totally
Ferret dry food before surgery.  This food has everything they need in the
way of nutrition!!  I strongly recommend that, if your little girl is not
already on this food exclusively, that you get her on it ASAP.
 
With adrenal problems, it is almost impossible to get a ferret to gain
weight.  The tumor must be removed before you will see much change in her
overall appearance.  But be certain your ferret is as strong as possible
(meaning that she has been on excellent food prior to surgery) before going
in.
 
How old is your ferret?  What is she eating now?  How long has she been
having problems?  What were the first signs?  What do you know about your
vet's experience with ferrets?  What is your ferrets origin?  Is she a
Marshall Farms?  Did she come from a local breeder?  When was she spayed and
descented?  Where did *you* get her from?  Where are you located?
 
Please respond to these questions and I will try to help further.  Since
your email is bouncing on me, perhaps you could just call me 817-599-7740,
or post the answers to the fml.  [Thanks BIG]
 
Trish
Director, Ferrets First Rescue & Shelter
 
[Moderator's note: I could forward it to Chris, but your note is certainly
of general interest.  Though my understanding is that it is very hard to
pick up adrenals on an ultrasound unless the disease is very advanced.  And
even then...  DVMs?  (I'll bet Dr. Purcell will disagree :-))  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 1639]