Joanne, Bam Bam sounds like a rough call because on rare occasion an adrenal will have problems but look normal. Have you considered trying a trial of melatonin implant or Lupron, or both to see if there is a change? Yes, there can be some unusual ferrets who are not on large doses of Pred long term who lose fur. We had one years back (confirmed by pathology after necropsy since she was used to teach about hypertrophic cardiomyopathy after her death to help vets and other ferrets and then buried, and yes, it can be emotionally painful to have ones given up completely to research after their deaths. We have done that, too, when we figured that it had a chance of helping ferrets.) Lynda wrote: >Some people have posted on the FML about losing a furkid that was 4 or 5 >and I have seen posts questioning the care. I think the spirit of the questioning and why the questions were asked matters. I can't see bashing on that score. It hurts and doesn't help anyone. Sometimes, though, there are learning opportunities which help others, nad then a painful experience becomes a way to save lives and that makes a real difference. Usually, though, such matters are best discussed while the ferret is alive so that they can be used, and necropsies with pathology used after death when there is a need (an approach which has helped prevent further deaths in multiple instances). It is a tender time and a delicate issue, obviously. I think that while it is important that people not feel stigmatized, that it is also important to learn and keep learning. I am very grateful that the people I know who routinely get longer than the late 6th year to mid 8th year longevity that we get have been willing to sit down and compare with me. With both it boiled down to the exercise and space combination as the only difference (that we could find) from what local economics allows us to provide. Charleen writes: >after 5 years the problems start Yes, yes, yes! Getting vet exams at least twice a year with testing is SO IMPORTANT from 5 on, and Steve and I personally start them earlier for those of ours with problems or with neural crest genetics markings! >I know of people that have spent thousands of dollars on their ferrets >and still the adrenal problem doesn't get solved and they end up trying >lupron, which with the experience I have had does just as good of job. We had one adult rescue like that, but for the most part surgery has been very successful with our approximately 1/3 who have gotten adrenal growths (most over the age of 5, and most just one side). There are some things beyond darkness being used these days: Spring Lupron shots for ferrets who have not had adrenal growths, melatonin implants for any, sometimes Lupron and melatonin for those who have lost an adrenal. Info: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/melatonin.htm and http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org and the FML Archives whose addy is in the header of every day's FML. Lupron is very useful drug and I am very much looking forward to learning more about the more affordable Suprelorin which Shona gave us all good news about recently which may help more people be able to afford adrenal growth care. (Also, there is a class action suit on Lupron price according to a mail currently making the rounds.) In http://www.smartgroups.com/message/viewdiscussion.cfm? gid=1423922&messageid=10790 Dr. Jerry Murray wrote to Shona and the FHL membership (here with his standing permission): >Glad to hear you are interested in Suprelorin (deslorelin acetate) >implants. In addition to Dr Wagner's study with adrenal ferrets, there >was a study done at the vet school in Budapest, Hungary with intact >ferrets. Worked well in both studies. They lasted for 8-20 months in >the adrenal ferrets and 18+ months in the intact ferrets (if I remember >correctly what Dr Huszenicza said). I would certainly use them if they >were available here in the USA. [Posted in FML issue 4794]