Barb--
You mentioned your ferret has had one adrenal gland removed and now is
demonstrating the same "mounting" behavior again.  A second adrenal gland
problem needs to be considered, but since we have not found that a ferret
can survive without at least one gland, our course of action has been to
put the ferret on prednisone for life.  We use about 5mg a day to suppress
tumor growth.  There may be hair thinning or lack of regrowth from the
first surgery, but it should help the mounting behavior and extend the
ferret's life.  If you elect to do a second surgery, the second gland
should not be removed in its entirety, but can be "debulked", or reduced in
size.  You may still have to supplement with prednisone, since the gland is
not likely to be fully functional particularly in its reduced form.
 
Vicki--
Any ferret that is having difficulty urinating is in deep trouble.  Please
see your vet at once.  One possibility is cystic prostatic disease (we have
a handout available on this), another is urinary tract infection.  Or it
may be something else, but it needs immediate attention.
 
Lynn--
You'll probably get a lot of mail on this, but my 2 cents worth says
balloons are deadly to ferrets (as they can be to young children).  An
errant piece of burst balloon can cause a fatal intestinal blockage in a
ferret.  It will not show up on xray.
 
Hey you guys wanting to find homes for your ferrets.....Please post your
geographical location!!!!!!!!
 
Ferret Rescue of the Western States (Colorado Springs)
[Posted in FML issue 2408]