Hi all.
 
Don't wish to get into a long story, but often read this newsletter for
fun & info & could use a little help from you nice folks.
 
Have a 3yr. old ferret with SOME (not total) fur loss.  Vet here
immediately suspected adrenal tumor as cause, but I do not wish to "jump
the gun" & subject my poor little fuzzbutt to surgery based on this symptom
alone.
 
Wrote directly to wonderful Dr. Williams (who seems so great about posting
here) but I understand he can not answer all the e-mails he receives.
 
Perhaps he (and anyone with extensive experience with this problem) will
do a post on adrenal tumors in ferrets?  I would not ask, but it seems
to be such a common problem that I'm probably not the only ferret-owner
interested.
 
Information on symptoms, progression of disease, risks of surgery (besides
the obvious risks of ANY surgery), projected outcome (likely to be an
"over-with-&-done" thing with complete recovery, or will ongoing problems,
medication regimen, etc. become necessary?), etc. etc.  An example of an
issue on which I would like input is use of a sonogram.  Two different vets
independently told me it is NOT a definitive diagnosis, & lots of tumors
will be missed by this procedure - do you all mostly agree?  How has your
much-loved fuzzy fared when you've opted for the surgery?  Any questions in
particular I should ask when choosing a vet to handle this?  You get the
picture.
 
Thank you so much & best wishes to all & your assorted "carpet sharks"! :>)
 
Lisa
 
[Moderator's note: I send the Adrenal FAQ, for starters.  BIG]
[Posted in FML issue 3234]