**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]