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Post by Sherry on May 13, 2011 22:05:40 GMT -5
Just to let you know- my one girl was diagnosed at approx. 4 1/2 years of age with adrenal. We chose the lupron route due to the fact that adrenal tends to reappear in spite of the surgery. And my vet will not get the des in til she's able to check it out at the symposium in June. Anyway, the point is- she lived with few symptoms til last month. So just over 3 years on lupron alone, and another month and a half with lupron and melatonin combined. She passed at 7-8 years of age(rescue, not sure of exact age)
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Post by finniganpiper on May 14, 2011 19:16:09 GMT -5
Thank you Miami. Really? 4 years with no surgeries?! I know obviously not all of ferrets react the same, but that is some good news to hear! That's so fantastic for you and your little furats! Best of luck to you and them!
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Post by finniganpiper on May 14, 2011 19:17:26 GMT -5
Thank you Sherry. That is incredibly valuable info to hear and weigh into deciding on the next step with him. That's really incredible. How was the ferret's quality of life throughout those years?
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 14, 2011 22:59:08 GMT -5
Not all but most will respond very well to lupron, deslorelin and Melatonin. They usually die because of something else and not Adrenal disease.
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Post by Sherry on May 15, 2011 0:38:32 GMT -5
Sinnead's quality of life was fantastic She was our little dancer- she'd dance at the drop of a hat. As well as wrestle, and put the boys in their place ;D She was also the one always climbing the towel tower to push all the towels down for the others to play with She did this right up until a month or so before she passed. She developed a very large mass in her abdomen, and it was just too much for her anymore
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Post by finniganpiper on May 15, 2011 8:23:04 GMT -5
Thanks guys! Sherry that's great to hear that your little girl lived such a great life for so much longer. I'm so sorry you lost her. It's NEVER easy and never gets easier. Sounds like these drugs do help these little guys so much though. They are such little troopers!
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Post by Sherry on May 15, 2011 11:09:54 GMT -5
They really do. They essentially block the hormone receptors in the adrenals, if I remember correctly. For a period of time, anyway. The lupron and des both stop working after a while, but it's far better than letting adrenal go completely unchecked.
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Post by finniganpiper on May 17, 2011 8:41:38 GMT -5
Wow, vets know how to torture you!!! I called the specialist who did his surgery to see if the biopsy results were in and the receptionist put me on hold, came back and said that one came in, but they're still waiting on the other one and the specialist would call me back later today!! Nothing like keeping you on the edge of your seat all day!!! LOL So I don't even know if it's Piper or Finn, or if it's Piper's tail tumor, Finn's liver, or Finn's adrenal gland that I'll be finding out about....oh the waiting....I guess this will be all about me being patient. Wish us luck!
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 17, 2011 9:47:10 GMT -5
GOOD LUCK! human doctors do this all the time too. "yes the results are in but the doctor will call you to discuss." you automatically think the worse and start making funeral arrangements!
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Post by finniganpiper on May 18, 2011 10:50:17 GMT -5
Biopsy results are in!!! He has no signs of malignant growths at all, liver or adrenal gland!!!!!! WOOHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!! Obviously because we had to leave the other one in there because of the vomiting, it doesn't mean it won't cause problems down the road, so we will probably start him on some melatonin at the very least with possibly lupron. She isn't sure the des is good to do for right now. She wants to have something to combat it later down the road if things go south later on. We are going to discuss our plan in more detail when he goes back in to get his stitches removed, but YAY!!!!!!!!! I'm on cloud nine right now!!! Can't wait to go home and give the little furats a hug!!! Piper's tail lump was also benign. The ferret angels are watching over my fur kids for sure! Thank you for all the support through this guys! We greatly appreciate it!!!
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Post by Heather on May 18, 2011 11:12:21 GMT -5
That is so fantastic. Congratulations, you must be walking on cloud nine. That is great. Give the little ones a big hug ciao
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Post by Sherry on May 18, 2011 11:16:52 GMT -5
Oh, congratulations!!!! That is SUCH a relief
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 18, 2011 11:30:40 GMT -5
Congratulations! I really recommend that you do lupron with Melatonin though!
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Post by finniganpiper on May 18, 2011 11:53:19 GMT -5
Thanks guys!!! I'm thrilled!!! Doing my happy dance at work (although slightly tamed down on the outside, I'm rocking out on the inside!) Miami - this is the route we are currently planning to take, but we are going to discuss it in more detail when we go in. We are thinking of holding off on the des for now so that way when it comes back later on and the lupron isn't doing much, we still have another defense against it. We are going to talk a bit more about the des though, so we shall see what course we take, but both vets recommended the melatonin and lupron (at least one of them at the very least) because he is a male and we worry about it causing issues with his prostate down the road and his surgery risk will be increased now with his allergy to anesthesia, so we are going to be compative against it and see how many good months/years he can get. Right now we're just going to spend the night with them and celebrate Lots of hugs and kisses will be dealt out!! (as if they weren't already!) LOL Thanks so much guys!
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