Post by elleena0610 on Jul 13, 2013 19:45:47 GMT -5
Hey everyone! I was on here forever ago as I was transitioning my babies to a raw diet, and then life got in the way. Unfortunately, I'm not back under very positive circumstances I’m afraid 
I am almost positive my first baby, my 2.5 year old Dexter, has adrenal 
I’ve had a nagging feeling that something was wrong for a few weeks now but I just kept trying to think of anything else it could be. His fur has grown increasingly sparse and scruffy. I hoped maybe it was just a seasonal coat change but it hasn’t grown back. I thought maybe I wasn’t adequately balancing their meals (things were hectic during a move back in March). But my 1.5 year old girl Zoey is positively thriving. She has a pure white undercoat and is as soft and fluffy as a little kit- she just generally looks fantastic! So I ruled out a diet thing. I’ve ruled out basically everything I can think of and it’s time to face facts. I’m really heartbroken about it- he’s my first ferret and like a child to me. It didn’t really hit me until I started looking back at old pictures of him. I figured I’d show you guys and just make sure I’m not crazy.
This is him when I first got him back in Fall 2011 at 8 months. He had been kibble-fed (Marshalls
*) and was a little pudgy, but all things considered he looked great.
This is more recent, last September 2012. He slimmed down a lot after I put him on the raw diet and his coat was thick and soft.
This is him last month. You can see where the fur on his tummy and shoulder blade is thinning.
And this is now.
Besides the obvious hair loss, he does seem quite itchy. He’s always scratched a lot, but it has increased lately. His skin also seems dry to me. Behavior-wise he seems about the same, no lethargy, still as energetic as ever, perhaps even too energetic. He’s been playing quite rough with Zoey, grabbing her by the neck and not wanting to let go, sometimes even lashing her about. I have had to separate them a few times when Zoey squeeled. I’ve been watching him closely, and he doesn’t seem to be having any trouble urinating. I can’t get him to hold still to get an accurate weight, but he feels very thin when I pick him up and I can feel bones. Altogether, it seems pretty certain adrenal is the culprit
So I guess I’m looking for any advice you guys can give me. I want to make sure I’m informed before I go to the vet. I’ve been reading up on the disease over the past few weeks as I grew more and more suspicious, so I know the basics. I know the options are either surgical removal of the gland, melatonin (orally or implant), Lupron injections (1 month, 3 month, or 4 month), or Suprelorin. I’ve read that surgery is the only real cure, but I’ve also read that it’s typical for the disease to come back in the remaining adrenal gland within a year. Even though he’s relatively young and healthy, I don’t really want to put Dexter through an expensive, risky surgery, especially if within a year the disease will just return. I’ve been browsing through the threads here, and have seen some of the amazing experiences with the Suprelorin implant so that’s what I’m leaning towards. Any input on this?
Also, I’m unsure about how the diagnosis typically happens. I know there’s the Tennessee panel, but apparently that can often return a false negative and isn’t reliable? I’ve also read it’s quite costly. Will the vet insist on this or is there a way to just skip that part if the signs are quite obvious? I know some vets do a 3-month trial of Lupron, and if the symptoms improve, then the diagnosis is for adrenal. Would this be in the form of a 3 month shot, or three 1 months? Sorry about all the questions, I just like to know all the options.
I guess my last question is the saddest one. On Suprelorin or Lupron or whatever treatment I end up going with, how much longer will he live? I know nothing besides surgery actually removes the tumor, so the actual disease will keep getting worse even if the symptoms are covered up. I can’t bear the thought of losing him, and he’s still so young I will do anything I can to give him the longest, happiest life possible.
Sorry this was so long-winded, I’m just feeling really overwhelmed right now. Thanks in advance for all your help and advice!
I am almost positive my first baby, my 2.5 year old Dexter, has adrenal I’ve had a nagging feeling that something was wrong for a few weeks now but I just kept trying to think of anything else it could be. His fur has grown increasingly sparse and scruffy. I hoped maybe it was just a seasonal coat change but it hasn’t grown back. I thought maybe I wasn’t adequately balancing their meals (things were hectic during a move back in March). But my 1.5 year old girl Zoey is positively thriving. She has a pure white undercoat and is as soft and fluffy as a little kit- she just generally looks fantastic! So I ruled out a diet thing. I’ve ruled out basically everything I can think of and it’s time to face facts. I’m really heartbroken about it- he’s my first ferret and like a child to me. It didn’t really hit me until I started looking back at old pictures of him. I figured I’d show you guys and just make sure I’m not crazy.This is him when I first got him back in Fall 2011 at 8 months. He had been kibble-fed (Marshalls
*) and was a little pudgy, but all things considered he looked great. 
This is more recent, last September 2012. He slimmed down a lot after I put him on the raw diet and his coat was thick and soft.
This is him last month. You can see where the fur on his tummy and shoulder blade is thinning.
And this is now.
Besides the obvious hair loss, he does seem quite itchy. He’s always scratched a lot, but it has increased lately. His skin also seems dry to me. Behavior-wise he seems about the same, no lethargy, still as energetic as ever, perhaps even too energetic. He’s been playing quite rough with Zoey, grabbing her by the neck and not wanting to let go, sometimes even lashing her about. I have had to separate them a few times when Zoey squeeled. I’ve been watching him closely, and he doesn’t seem to be having any trouble urinating. I can’t get him to hold still to get an accurate weight, but he feels very thin when I pick him up and I can feel bones. Altogether, it seems pretty certain adrenal is the culprit
So I guess I’m looking for any advice you guys can give me. I want to make sure I’m informed before I go to the vet. I’ve been reading up on the disease over the past few weeks as I grew more and more suspicious, so I know the basics. I know the options are either surgical removal of the gland, melatonin (orally or implant), Lupron injections (1 month, 3 month, or 4 month), or Suprelorin. I’ve read that surgery is the only real cure, but I’ve also read that it’s typical for the disease to come back in the remaining adrenal gland within a year. Even though he’s relatively young and healthy, I don’t really want to put Dexter through an expensive, risky surgery, especially if within a year the disease will just return. I’ve been browsing through the threads here, and have seen some of the amazing experiences with the Suprelorin implant so that’s what I’m leaning towards. Any input on this?
Also, I’m unsure about how the diagnosis typically happens. I know there’s the Tennessee panel, but apparently that can often return a false negative and isn’t reliable? I’ve also read it’s quite costly. Will the vet insist on this or is there a way to just skip that part if the signs are quite obvious? I know some vets do a 3-month trial of Lupron, and if the symptoms improve, then the diagnosis is for adrenal. Would this be in the form of a 3 month shot, or three 1 months? Sorry about all the questions, I just like to know all the options.
I guess my last question is the saddest one. On Suprelorin or Lupron or whatever treatment I end up going with, how much longer will he live? I know nothing besides surgery actually removes the tumor, so the actual disease will keep getting worse even if the symptoms are covered up. I can’t bear the thought of losing him, and he’s still so young
I will do anything I can to give him the longest, happiest life possible.Sorry this was so long-winded, I’m just feeling really overwhelmed right now. Thanks in advance for all your help and advice!
I'm trying to stay hopeful for him but I'm so concerned for him too. I knew this was probably on the horizon, I was just hoping it wouldn't be for at least another year.
Looks like I need to update my signature- can't believe Zoey used to be that tiny!