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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2012 20:01:35 GMT -5
So I noticed today that Lyla's vulva is quite swollen and quite red...
My vet isn't open on sundays...
Should I inquire on getting her in somewhere else in the morning?
What are different reasons for swollen vulva?
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Post by bitbyter on Nov 3, 2012 20:09:55 GMT -5
It could be an infection but it is also one of the signs of adrenal disease in female ferrets.  |
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Post by Heather on Nov 3, 2012 20:12:08 GMT -5
My first idea...adrenal. It could be an infection but adrenal is one of the biggest issues in regard to this. If she was intact you would say she's in season. If it looks like that, chances are you're dealing with a key symptom of adrenal.
Is there any discharge?
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2012 20:12:23 GMT -5
Is there a way to tell the difference between the two? Can she wait until monday to see a vet, or should it be done in the morning, or even this evening at an emerg?
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Post by Heather on Nov 3, 2012 20:20:39 GMT -5
If you think it's an infection....is she running a fever? lethargic? I don't think it's an emergency though
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2012 20:33:55 GMT -5
I don't think she's got a fever, and her energy is about normal... she'll move for 10 minutes, then go to bed... nothing different than the last year or so...
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Post by Sherry on Nov 3, 2012 21:51:08 GMT -5
Sinnead used to get vaginal infections(she was adrenal). She always had some sort of discharge with it. However- if her vulva is enlarged at all, odds are it's adrenal  AND she likely needs antibiotics for an infection. My adrenals never had a reddened vulva unless the had an infection as well. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2012 22:50:45 GMT -5
I haven't seen any discharge, but twice today I look at it, and there seems to be stuff "stuck to it". I rinse off the area and it comes off easy enough, but it kinda looks like pieces of litter, but I'm not certain. Can discharges be solid? Poor thing. I took a look to compare with Meeko, and Meeko's vulva is barely visible, tiny and hidden by fat deposits on her thighs, but poop Lyla's is a few times larger, about the size of her anus and all red Can adrenal come without hair loss on the base of the tail? Lyla's fur is just fine... But Meeko's now almost bald on the base of the tail. It doesn't look like it's only the pred acting on her. I just may have to take both girls in for the possibility of adrenal... But is Meeko too young still for adrenal? She's a year and a half, and Lyla is 4 and a half... |
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Post by Sherry on Nov 3, 2012 23:03:27 GMT -5
but twice today I look at it, and there seems to be stuff "stuck to it". Unless the area is moist from SOMETHING, nothing will stick to it. Could be discharge, or even urine. Can adrenal come without hair loss on the base of the tail Athena's only symptom to start was behavioural change. Her vulva didn't enlarge til she'd been adrenal for almost 2 years and I had to miss a month's lupron due to finances. And she never lost any fur. But is Meeko too young still for adrenal? She's a year and a half, Katt's boy Koda was a year old  |
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Post by Heather on Nov 3, 2012 23:21:22 GMT -5
I've had them never loose hair at all. I think that's one of the poorest ways to tell if a ferret is adrenal. I know, for years that was the "tell-tale" sign but I hate to think how many ferrets suffered while their owners waited for that sign to show up. I've had a couple show up with sexual aggression but no other signs. Mad Max and Azrael both blocked up. Now Mad Max blocked up because of prostate issues, which were actually cancerous but Azrael's issues were brought on by an infection, probably related to his adrenal issues. I had a wee girlie never even get a swollen vulva but had all her fur fall off (wee Lady Pooka). It wasn't until her lupron wouldn't work any more that her vulva became swollen
ciao
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2012 0:05:26 GMT -5
Hmmm... complicated stuff... On monday my vet will call me up about the update I left about Lyla loosing weight again. I will talk to her about her vulva and Meeko's hair loss...
Does adrenal come with a surgery every time? Or can the ferrets just be started on meds such as lupron or des?
So then, a side question... if there is no hair loss and no swelling, then how do you know to look for adrenal?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2012 8:51:00 GMT -5
Many chose to only treat medically for adrenal because the surgery usually has poor results for the risk and cost. The deslorelin implant is the best for long term use because it lasts longer (usually more cost effective). There are other symptoms you can look for. Lethargy, aggression or a change in behavior or personality, prostate issues in males, IBD. You just have to be observant and aware  |
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Post by Sherry on Nov 4, 2012 10:06:11 GMT -5
I refuse to do surgery for them, and instead treat with lupron, and will be using the des implant when it comes in.
I've seen far too many have the adrenal symptoms recur within 6 months of the surgery.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2012 12:19:33 GMT -5
Ok, thanks!
And let's say Lyla's IBD symptoms are actually adrenal symptoms, then would the lupron or des make her bowel movements better? Or will that stay the same?
And if Pred does nothing for adrenal, then why was Lyla better for a week on Pred before to go down again? Any ideas?
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Post by Sherry on Nov 4, 2012 14:33:30 GMT -5
It's a mix and match. The pred does not touch the adrenal at all. BUT- it would have allieviated the bowel inflammation in the short term.
Possibly by using a combination of lupron/des to treat the adrenal and using pred to treat the inflammation it could bring the stools back to a healthier place.
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