>From: michelle trocine <> >I know this may sound odd but I was wondering if anyone knew the answer. >In male ferrets in the later stages of adreanal their prostate can swell >and block the flow of urine. I know that they remove peoples prostates... >can they safely remove a ferrets. Since they are usually neutered does it >serve much of a purpose? I had a old ferret with adrenal that was a male >and he was on Lupron. The Lupron only worked for so long though...He had >the prostate swelling. He's passed away since but I was curious anyhow >about that. The last I heard it is considered too hard and delicate a surgery to be feasible. If anyone knows of anything since then I'm willing to learn. ***Surgery to remove the adrenal gland usually takes down the prostate very rapidly and it's a much more doable surgery***, but some are not surgical candidates. There are medications that can help reduce some of the swelling but not many vets know about them, yet; you'll want to search the prostate posts of the vet, Jerry Murray at http://listserv.cuny.edu/archives/ferret-search.html or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list . Prostate enlargement ultimately puts entire urinary system at risk if left untreated. [Posted in FML issue 3548]