Hi, Laura,
 
You are already doing the first, best thing you can do for your three
year old adrenal boy: finding a good, ferret-knowledgable vet.  You have
described classic adrenal symptoms, and there is only one cure for
adrenal disease: surgery.  Six of my ferrets have had adrenal surgery at
ages ranging from one to seven and a half.  We haven't lost any to the
surgery, and in five of six cases the surgery solved the problems.  In
the sixth case the carcinoma metastasized.  That's very rare.
 
Find that good vet in your area, get the surgery done, and your little
guy will probably be just fine for years to come.  (Note:  I did say
probably.  There are always *some* risks with surgery.)
 
I am not a vet, just a ferret owner who has been where you are now way
too many times.
 
All the best,
Caity and the non-stop nine
[Posted in FML issue 3866]