**The advice dispensed by myself in reference to FML postings is not meant
to supplant the advice of veterinarians who are in charge of the patient.
If the patient is not currently under the care of a veterinarian, the client
is recommended to take their ferret to one.**
 
>From:    Judith Emery <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Vet question -- Surgery and the older ferret
>My eight year old ferret began to show symptoms of adrenal disease earlier
>this year.  It's been progressing steadily.  At a recent check-up, the vet
>also discovered a heart murmer.
 
An older ferret is at more risk than a two year old, but modern gas
anesthestics are safely used on these older ferrets routinely.  I would opt
for the surgery.  Do remember that you have a geriatric ferret and
regardless of what you do, numerous more years are probably not int he
picture.
 
>From:    Melissa Litwicki <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Continuing ferret symptoms
>I'm hoping that someone will recognize these symptoms and have some
>recommendations or at least general pointers in the right direction for
>treatment
 
I would put allergies on the top of the list.  A blood count with an
elevation of a type of white blood cell called an eosinophil along with what
you describe in the x-ray should be diagnostic.  Treatment is steroids early
on and try to control with an anti-histamine.
 
  -----
JUST A NOTE: As many may have noticed, I have been really poor at answering
questions over the last 1-2 months. I apologize. Business is growing, I'm on
the Board of Directors of the local humane society, 4 month old baby (that
probably explains 95% of it :)  ). Anyways, if you have a question, please
e-mail me directly in addition to the FML and I am a lot more prompt with
those. Thanks for the understanding.
  -----
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH, USA
[Posted in FML issue 2067]