http://www.smartgroups.com/message/readmessage.cfm?gid=1423922
&messageid=5054&startid=5056
 
Actually tonight I am working on a promised article to Ferrets Mag about
adrenal disease.  But I think that Melissa and Sukie have covered the
dire possibilities very well (and they are very real.)
 
However, even under the best conditions, when there is no malignancy,
there is no bone marrow toxicosis, there is no prostatic cystic disease -
even the most mild prediction is a sad one.  Ferrets with adrenal disease
have a diminished quality of life - they have progressive muscle loss,
low grade anemia, they tend to redistribute weight to the abdomen,
further making it difficult to walk, they have an increased incidence of
gastric ulcers as a result of the stress of chronic illness, decreased
bone density - none life-threatening, but all life-compromising.  Even
medical treatment, which is not my preferred way of treating adrenal
disease, gives slight releif to symptoms.  Doing nothing is not kind and
not in a ferret's best interest.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
 
Author wrote:
>  Before anyone gets excited, this is NOT me I'm talking about.  This
>is someone over which I have no control.  I am, however, trying to
>get her surrender this adrenal ferret to me.  I have talked to a lot
>of animal people around town and the general consensus is that this
>woman is a collector, will provide NO vet care, and it's unlikely
>she will surrender the ferret to me.  But, I have to try.
>When I talked to her, one question she asked was what would happen
>
>if the adrenal disease isn't treated.  I felt very unprepared for
>the question and stumbled around a little bit.  She "said" she was
>taking her to a vet today so I have an excuse to call her tonight;
>to ask what the vet said.  I want to be a little more prepared when
>I talk to her again.
>
>She also has 2 "healthy" ferrets at her home.  She recently lost
>one in a cage fall.
[Posted in FML issue 4182]