This reply is for Elayne who asked if other ferrets (female) were found to
have adrenal disease without swelling of vulva.  We preformed six adrenal
surgeries on shelter kids last year, four of which were females, only one
had a swollen vulva.  The others had hair loss.
 
The two males had balding patterns, one also had multiple cancers and was
not revived.
 
So far this year we have done or assisted families with 8 ferrets - 6
females (2 with swollen vulvas) otherwise all had the symptomatic hair loss.
 
It is not always a swollen vulva that denoted affected adrenals, and I would
caution those with balding ferrets that waiting for the vulva to swell
before the surgery option may in fact give the gland more time to affect
other organs.  If you have a question please see a vet-- The other side to
this argument is that we have seen female ferrets in beautiful show coat--
and evidencing a swollen vulva-- clearly each animal will vary in
demonstrating the symptomatic signs of adrenal disease.
 
Fondly in ferrets,
Alicia
a shelter Mom
[Posted in FML issue 1917]