I am hoping someone can give me some help.  My friend, Alycia, in
Philadelphia, PA (Dresher area) has two ferrets, Cocoa and Grimmy, adopted
about 1 year ago.  Grimmy is ~5 yo neutered male.  She noticed hair loss
around the base of the tail and took Grimmy to the vet.  Three vets later,
they had done bloodwork and an ultrasound.  Both adrenals are supposed to be
very bad, although the rest of his bloodwork came back fine (he did have a
slightly enlarged spleen).  I do not believe they did the Univ of Tennessee
panel or the Cornell adrenal test, just the CBC and ultrasound.  Grimmy is
in perfect health otherwise.
 
My questions: Does anyone know of a good, reliable vet in the Dresher area?
Alycia's original vet doesn't do ferrets, so she is dealing with two
unknowns, although they are supposed to be great with ferrets (Chestnut Hill
Animal Hospital ring any bells for anyone?) I think the names are Dr.
Gorshenfeld and Dr. Orser.  The vet told her that surgery is impossible
because both glands are infected.  Is this true and how much can you tell
from the ultrasound?  Should she also have the blood panel done to confirm
the adrenal problem or is the ultrasound enough?
 
I was thinking since Grimmy is only about 5 yo, in great physical condition,
surgery should definitely be an option.  Even if they take out all of the
left and most of the right adrenal, if they put him on prednisone after the
surgery, shouldn't he be okay?  Alycia is willing to do anything that will
help Grimmy, as long as his quality of life doesn't suffer.
 
If anyone could please get back to me privately as soon as possible, I would
really appreciate it.  Thanks so much!
 
Mary and the fuzzies.....
 
Fatso, Skinny, Maggie & Sweet Pea
 
In remembrance of Bear, gone to the Rainbow Bridge on June 28 1997
[Posted in FML issue 2006]