Hi All:
 
I'm seeing a very bizarre thing in 2 albino females (in different homes) &
hope someone can figure this out.
 
Case #1: 2-1/2 y.o. MF - normal weight.  At age 7 months vulva became
swollen & she began to lose hair.  Activity level unchanged, no
problems/changes to indicate infection of any kind.  Taken to vet with
suspected incomplete spay & reopened, but no uterus or residual tissue was
found.  No adrenal symptoms.  Owner suspected allergy & tried alternative
food, bedding material & litter.  Hair grew back & swelling went away for 1
year, then suddenly returned (last week), but no other symptoms.  No change
in activitity level, food, urination patterns, etc.
 
Case #2: 2-1/2 y.o., breeder unknown.  Very small albino female was
purchased by former owner as a breeder but did not have kits after 2 years.
Surrendered to shelter with a hob & seemed fine.  Ultrasounded to determine
whether a uterus was present, but no sign of one, so the assumption was that
she had already been spayed.  There were no adrenal problems present on
ultrasound.  Male companion was neutered & the pair was adopted to a new
home.  After 1-1/2 months with a new owner, female began to show symptoms of
vulvular swelling, but no change in activity level, urine or hair loss.
Gained to a more "normal" weight.  Has been "swollen" now for several weeks;
current vet (not a ferret specialist) now suspects she wasn't spayed after
all.  Owner was told by vet that the ferret could not be spayed "in that
condition."
 
I'm stumped!  Do any of you have suggestions?
 
Karen
Rogues Gallery Ferret Rescue
[Posted in FML issue 2017]