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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 21:03:23 GMT -5
I noticed tonight that my little girl Snickers is pretty swollen in her lady parts- which is strange because she shouldn't have any lady parts inside to make her that way, if you know what I mean. I actually noticed a little swelling a few nights ago, but it was very mild and went away by morning, so I was kindof like "huh, that was odd." But tonight the swelling was MUCH more pronounced, so I went online to see what info I could find.
Seems most likely is adrenal, but Snickers is pretty young for it. She is just over two years. Plus, she has had NO hair loss. She will probably be shedding her winter coat very soon, but even that hasn't really started up yet. She may have lost a little weight in the last week or so, but not enough to worry me on its own- within normal seasonal variation (going along with the thought that she will probably be losing that winter coat very soon).
What does everyone think? Obviously I need to take her to the vet, but the closest ferret specialist is over an hour away, and I'm supposed to work tomorrow. I have Wends off- is this a wait till Wends vet visit, a call out of work Tuesday vet visit?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 21:14:08 GMT -5
If she does have adrenal, you're treatment options are melatonin, lupron, and des. Two years old is young, but adrenal seems to be striking younger and younger Has she been excessively itchy? Over grooming? Aggressive? Those are all signs of adrenal. I think it can definitely wait until Wednesday, but definitely get her checked out soon.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 21:24:47 GMT -5
I guess I'd have to say her behavior is pretty normal- she's always been the more aggressive of the pair, so slight aggression is within the norm anyhow. Same with itchiness. She seems to have the typical ferret amount of itchy-scratchy.
I guess my biggest fear at the moment is that it is something OTHER than adrenal that needs to be addressed on an emergency, right away basis. If I can rule that out, THEN I will start worrying about adrenal and all that it implies.
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Post by Heather on Mar 21, 2011 21:25:29 GMT -5
The whole swollen vulva thing points to adrenal. There may be something else but nothing springs to mind. You don't need any other symptoms, unfortunately. I would be taking her to a vet as soon as you can. No it's not an emergency, but the sooner you start treatment (whatever you choose) the sooner you can start controlling the symptoms. You don't need any hair loss for adrenal, it can happen without. My little Sprite only had the whole vulva thing. She's been adrenal for almost 2 years. This past winter her coat thinned a bit but what was noticeable was the muscle wasting. She still has a gorgeous soft coat. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 21:45:21 GMT -5
Unfortunatly I'm new to the area I'm living in and have not had a chance to establish a relationship with the nearest vet. The animal hospital I will be taking her to does a lot of work with "exotics" and has a vet who specializes in ferrets, but I've had a poor experience with a vet I didn't know as well as I should have in the past.
What should I expect from this visit? What will a good ferret vet do when presented with these symptoms? I want to know when I show up what I should be expecting so I can make sure that she gets the best possible care.
I wish I could take her to the vet we had right before we moved. That woman was amazing and really knew what she was doing. I hate that this is happening when I don't know the vet I will have to take her to.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2011 21:59:07 GMT -5
Honestly, I wouldn't bother with any tests. From what I understand, there aren't any negative side effects from giving melatonin, lupron, or des. Depending on the vet and you, surgery is also an option. I would browse through the medical section - there are a lot of articles about adrenal.
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Post by goingpostal on Mar 21, 2011 22:08:00 GMT -5
I would start calling around and talking to some exotic vets, just get a feel for if they seem to know ferrets and how much experience they have with adrenals, etc. I went through this exact thing with my first adrenal, who was 1.5 at the time. Her only sign was itchiness and with her age we ran the Tenn. Panel to be sure, well unfortunately the vet we had been seeing moved right before this, the new vet didn't know squat but took the blood for the test, then recommended a few vets we could call, none of which panned out, I did mad searching online and found my current vet who is great. I would assume adrenal based on symptoms with the enlarged vulva, there are different options you will have to look into for treatment.
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Post by Sherry on Mar 22, 2011 0:00:47 GMT -5
Talk to the vet. Ask how many adrenal ferrets he personally deals with and treats on a regular basis. Ask what percentage of his patients ARE ferrets. There's not a thing wrong with "interviewing" your prospective vet. And it lets him know you WILL be involved with their care.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2011 0:26:38 GMT -5
could have a missed spay situation going on - definatel get hold of a ferret educated vet with years experience. I havent had one but i know they can exist, Not sure what the protocol is ...
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Post by Sherry on Mar 22, 2011 0:41:58 GMT -5
I'd think at two years, it should have shown up before now if she'd had an incomplete spay? How long have you had her for?
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Post by miamiferret2 on Mar 22, 2011 7:50:47 GMT -5
Just swollen or is there any sort of discharge? I agree with everyone else. That usually means adrenal disease in females. There is a lot of info here on treatment options for it. But I once heard of a fert that had a yeast infection. But i'd bet it is adrenal.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2011 7:52:28 GMT -5
I've called around and found another vet in drivable distance, but she has not been practicing long (graduated from Tuffts in 2002). She has been working with exotics since then, though.
The first vet I looked into was closer and has been in practice for almost 20 years. I was not able to talk to her this morning, only her receptionist, who assures me that she has "experience treating exotics" but seemed unable to tell me much more than that (I may have been asking the wrong questions, though) I have an appointment with her for tomorrow; she was in surgery all day today, so even though I considered calling out of work, it seems like I can't get Snickers in until tomorrow, unless I want to try the other vet.
@ Sherry- I've had her for about a year and a half- I got her from a shelter, but she was only there for a few weeks, and was with her first owner for even less time.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Mar 22, 2011 7:53:46 GMT -5
Actually, we've talked SO much about adrenal disease on this forum that between all of us, we can probably qualify as "foremost authorities" on adrenal disease. We should all get together and write a book.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2011 10:35:22 GMT -5
My ferret vet is young AND very good. I wouldn't discredit the Tuffts Grad just because she has only been practicing for a short while. Skills for surgery are something that develops over time but her knowledge about treatment options may actually be much better that the older vet's. She also may be more willing to make phone calls to colleagues and do some additional research. I haven't personally dealt with adrenal *yet* but I have discussed it with my vet. She is mostly against surgery and is pro-deslorelin implants. She will also try melatonin and lupron, but her first go-to is the des. If either vet hasn't used the deslorelin before there is a slight process to ordering it, but a good vet should be willing to take those extra few steps.
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Post by acodlin on Mar 22, 2011 10:55:46 GMT -5
Auggie was only 2 1/2 when he became adrenal, so its possible unfortunately =/ but he had the classic signs, agression, hair loss, big belly, red nipples ect..
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