**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:    Todd Cromwell <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: OED; medical question for vets re adrenal/insulinoma; Sierra Club
>         response
 
The adrenal glands work on a negative feedback system and have the capability
to make more adrenal tissue to handle any increased load (due to the other
adrenal being removed).  I would suspect that missing one adrenal would not
be detectable by any test of corticosteroids, mineralocorticoids, etc.
 
>From:    Lisa Baker <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: loss of hair on ferret's tail
>My ferret has lost the hair on her tail and she has blackheads.  I recall
>reading in a previous post about these clogged pores but I can't remember
 
A non-toxic 10% benzoyl peroxide creme for the blackheads.  I use oxydex gel
by DVM Pharmaceuticals.
 
>From:    extinct species of moomin <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: mites ?
>i took my ferret into the vet on thursday because he has orange patches on
>his skin.  The doctor said it could be mites and gave him a shot for it and
>told me to come back in two weeks for another shot.  The patches don't seem
 
Your vet is suspicious of scabies, a type of mange mite.  The injection is
ivermectin.  The orange stuff is most like just normal hair gland secretions
and not a mange.  Gentle cleansing will loosen up the orange stuff and it
can wash away.  I also would try the oxydex gel mentioned above to help
flush out the hair follicles.
 
>From:    Lawrence Schaufler <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Vet Question?
>First, is there an appetite stimulant that has been used effectively in
>ferrets?
>Second, has anyone seen a correlation between prednisone and incontinence in
>ferrets?
 
I use hi-vite vitamin drops for ferrets and it works well as an appetite
stimulant.
 
As for the Pred. It causes increase thirst and urination in all mammals at
some dose.  If that bladder fills up too much, you get incontinence.
 
>From:    "R. STEELE" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Sick Ferret
>I have a 10 month old female ferret which is not eating like she should.
>After takiing her to the vet it was no ticed she has a swollen liver and
>splean.  Also an elevated CBC level.  She is eating some but is loosing
 
Young, non-eating ferrets with enlarged spleens make me suspicious of
Helicobacter infections.  Enlarged spleen can also be suggestive of
lymphosarcoma.  Have your vet biopsy the spleen during the surgery.
 
>From:    Cerise Welter <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Strange feces
>I simply love posting such a great subject, but my vet is very new to the
>ferret business.  I have a rescue (we've had for 1 month), and her fecal
>matter seems almost foamy.  She was eating cheap cat food, and is now eating
 
It is most likely just the change in food.  If all else is fine, just
monitor for now.
 
>From:    Gilbert Le Cren <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Need help with a sick ferret
>This is Sandy Streit.
>My Amber is sick and we are at our wits end.
 
I would consider gastritis as the primary rule-out.  The liver is not
working similar to a hepatic lipidosis cat (your vet will understand that).
Aggressive nursing care is needed along with an appropriate medications.  I
also assumed that the ferret has a normal blood sugar and normal body
temperature.
 
Have your vet call me if they have a question (I'm in the AVMA Directory).
 
>From:    Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Ece, Lyme disease, Bob C
>Can a ferret get ECE more than once?
>*Can* ferrets get lyme disease?
 
Yes, ferrets can contract ECE more than once since the immunity from the
first insult is not lifelong.
 
Second, I do not know if ferrets contract lyme disease.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH, USA
[Posted in FML issue 1953]