Possible Adrenal Disease — Advice Please

[jeshimikah]

I’m going to try to make a long story short.
I have two ferrets, Sebastian and Vladimir, both are four years old, both are neutered males.
About a week ago, I had a bit of a scare with Sebastian, the older of the two, by half a year, he threw up in the morning, was normal all day, and then by the evening I noticed a small bump on the top of his head.

I was able to get him to the vet the next morning, and they said that the puking and the bump on his head seemed unrelated, the bump didn’t seem to be causing him any discomfort, he had been eating and going to the bathroom fine since he got sick the once, and it appeared that the bump seemed to have a puncture wound on it as if something had poked him and caused it to swell.
Photos and measurements were taken, and were monitoring it.
She said it was possible that my two ferrets were playing, and it got a little more rough than it normally does…

Sebastian is now on medication temporarily, he’s taking Sulcrate and Metronidazole for diarrhea and lubricating his digestive tract and such.

This morning, I noticed Vladimir is losing fur on his right side.
It’s thinning, and it’s very white right there, where it’s mostly his undercoat showing now.
I would add pictures to show, but I’m never quite sure how to do so on here properly.

His attitude and temperament and everything is completely normal still, both of my boys are as playful as ever, war dancing around, stealing and stashing things, and dooking up a mad storm…
But I’m starting to wonder if my concern for Sebastian was misplaced, and that I should be more concerned about Vladimir.
As today is a holiday, the vet is not even open for me to call and ask them or set up an appointment, but I will be tomorrow as soon as they open.

I was just hoping to get some advice and suggestions on what I could do until I’m able to get him seen by a vet to ensure his health.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and thank you in advance for any and all advice!!!

[eclipso]

Hello, I'm so glad we can help. Does he eat kibble? Sometimes a change of diet can cause them problems . Has anything in their environment from water to furniture to detergent changed recently? Do they have a Deslorin implant too? Pet store ferrets usually get adrenal at that age, but he seems to be fine at the moment. A vet check to check the adrenal glands might help too. Thanks!

I think Sebastian will be fine, his bump will clear up. Vladimir is the ferret you should be watching out for. Make sure to watch him more to find aggressive behaviors. If you don't already have the Deslorin implant for them, make sure to give it to them if you can, it helps slow down adrenal even before the signs appear, so it's good to improve their quality of life. Glad we could help

[unclejoe]

I agree. If you can afford it, the Suprelorin implant can be effective in delaying onset of adrenal disease. Try pinching/pulling some fur on several areas of his body. If youget lots and it's not shedding season, it could well be adrenal.

You have beautiful fuzzies!

[Charlie]

Yes, I have to agree with eclipse and unclejoe and start your ferrets on the DES implant if they aren't already on it. I started my ferret on it shortly after he turned 1 year to slow the progress of adrenal disease. He is coming up to 4 years. Cute picture by the way!!

[miamiferret2]

That bump on head/scab if it comes back or gets bigger it's a mast cell tumor. Usually benign. Easily removed. Common in ferrets over 3 yrs old

[jeshimikah]

Does anyone have any information about melatonin for adrenal disease?

[Corvidophile]

Melatonin will mask hair loss and plump the skin a little, but it won’t slow the disease itself down. I’m not sure whether it makes them more comfortable or not. Little repeated fact: melatonin also temporarily lowers blood glucose, so care should be taken if you suspect your ferret may also have insulinoma. The typical dose given is between 1 and 5 mg, but I’m currently experimenting with 0.5 mg on an insulinoma ferret to see if it does anything at that level. Studies have shown that the 0.5 mg dose does regrow hair, but it takes longer.

[eclipso]

Melatonin makes the ferret's body think it's winter, since he gets sleepier and it simulates longer nights and shorter days. In winter, ferret's aren't sexually active so what it does is stop the glands from producing a lot of hormones. They do less and it slows progression of the disease.

Another thing that helps is feeding adrenal glands and the organ that got spayed/neutered, since it sort of completes some of their needs. I heard it helps a lot.

Here's one with a lot more information about this type of supplement, and how it can help:

www.pethealthandnutritioncenter.com/adrenal-glandular-dogs-cats.html

The only bad thing of melatonin, if you see what it does to people who supplement, is that it makes you dependent on it, then when they must go off it, they won't be able to sleep well and bad symptoms will come back.