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Subject:
From:
Steve Austin <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 26 Feb 2003 11:13:43 -0500
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>I have a ferret who has a swollen vulva.  Period!!  No hair loss.  She
>is about 4 yrs old.  I can't find any scar from any surgery but she has
>the 2 ink dots which doesn't mean much cause I know of another ferret
>mom who's male wasn't neutered and was marked.  What do you think this
>could be and any suggestions would help.  I am going back to the vet
>this week to see what we should do.
>
>[SS]
 
The most common cause is by far Adrenal disease.  You don't have to have
all the signs to have adrenal disease, some just have the swollen vulva,
some have the hair loss and no swollen vulva.  Unfortunately, adrenal
disease can cycle, so things look better on the outside and on the inside
are not.  I have a foster whose owner surrendered her saying a few months
ago the ferret had fur loss and swollen vulva, but now the coat is back,
so she figured the ferret was fine.  The ferret had a little swollen
vulva, and the most beautiful coat of fur.  My vet thought I was crazy
to ask for surgery until he heard the histroy, the surgery showed two
diseased glands, the left was 10 times normal size.  She is doing
excellent post-op.  Of course, surgery has its risks, but with a good
vet, I think those risks can be minimized.
 
I wouldn't wait any longer if you are considering surgery, in fact, once
inside the vet can check out the other organs and look for any remnant of
a spay.  Also, just the circulating estrogen from the adrenal disease can
enlarge a small piece of the uterus that is very common to leave behind
( it doesn't cause any problems on its own) and this can get infected
causing a stump pyometra.  The high levels of estrogen can also cause
anemia.  If your vet is not convinced, consider sending out the Tennessee
panel to confirm.  The Tennesee panel and other great info on adrenal
disease can be found at these websites: www.ferretdoctor.com and
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/aae.html
 
Patty K
[Posted in FML issue 4071]

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