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Post by shilohismygirl on Feb 4, 2011 10:44:09 GMT -5
So, recently, Oz has taken to pestering Shiloh in a way that none of the other ferrets do. I'm not sure if this behavior is sexual, or normal. He's barely over a year, so I can't see it being sexual-he's a fixed Marshall and the only reason he would be displaying sexual behavior is if he were adrenal.
Here's the behavior: He spends an awful lot of time trying to climb on top of Shiloh, grabbing her by the scruff, and chewing on it and licking it. She tries to get away for a bit, and then she gives up and takes it until Oz loses interest. None of the other boys do this to her, and she has never done it to them. I know that grabbing one another by the scruff isn't unusual, but this seems to be a little weird. He has a nice fluffy coat, and acts otherwise normal. Is this normal stuff I am mistaking for something that it isn't? Should I get him checked or wait for other signs? It might seem a silly question, but I just want to make sure that I cover my bases. I'm really hoping it's normal. He doesn't hurt her, and isn't overly rough, just persistent. What are your opinions?
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Post by Heather on Feb 4, 2011 14:52:16 GMT -5
With Marshals reputation of producing some of the youngest adrenal ferrets....good question. He's really young and another time (only a few years ago) I would suggest it's a bit of hormones regarding being a teenager and it will stop later in the spring. The one thing you can try is either a lupron shot or a des shot. Neither will harm him if it's not adrenal and he will carry on with his "behaviour" but if it stops then you're probably treating adrenal. Now, you're in the US right? Check out the price of what it would cost you for a Tennessee panel...if it's less than the lupron or the des shot I would go with that and just make sure. I hate to say it but we're now seeing adrenal in very young ferrets and it's breaking my heart.
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2011 15:02:54 GMT -5
I don't have any experience with adrenal, but that behavior is pretty similar to that reported in adrenal furkids. Here is the U of Tenn. website with their listed prices for screenings. www.vet.utk.edu/diagnostic/endocrinology/index.phpThe ferret one is supposed to be $70, but of course that doesn't include your vet costs and such. If you click on where it says: adrenal function for ferrets, you'll get a PDF for instructions of sample prep etc. for your vet. Do you know if your vet can get ahold of the des. implant? I know a couple members on here are using it even before adrenal symptoms set it, as a method to try to prolong or prevent the disease. |
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Post by shilohismygirl on Feb 4, 2011 15:34:27 GMT -5
I'll have to talk to my vet about it, really. I never dreamed Adrenal could happen to one of mine so early, but you're right-he's a Marshall's so it's not unheard of, really. It's been going on for a probably a month or more, so I don't know if he'll grow out of it. I thought I'd do well to keep an eye on it, but I'll call my vet soon and see if she has those des. implants or can get them, if the need does arise. Thanks, guys
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Post by Sherry on Feb 4, 2011 23:48:35 GMT -5
I hate to say it, but that exact behaviour was Sinnead's first sign of adrenal, looking back on it, even before the fur loss  |
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Post by shilohismygirl on Feb 4, 2011 23:59:53 GMT -5
Thank you, Sherry. Don't worry because at least I can treat it while it's in the early stages. Adrenal isn't the end of the world, and I know Oz still has quite a long road ahead of him with or without adrenal, and really, this just reminds me to the best by them, and to spend good quality time with them everyday. I'll call my vet asap
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 0:51:17 GMT -5
Oz will be in my prayers  |
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Post by Sherry on Feb 5, 2011 0:59:46 GMT -5
Wait til 4:40ish in this video. It shows classic mounting behaviour. I'll try to get a video of Sinnead and Lucrezia sometime this week as well, since she's displaying this again:
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 1:08:50 GMT -5
Great video Sherry. I've always wondered what that looks like.
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Post by sherik on Feb 5, 2011 2:20:48 GMT -5
Huh... well that's good to know.
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Post by shilohismygirl on Feb 5, 2011 19:25:55 GMT -5
The behavior is a lot like that, not as extreme, but he does lay on top of her and chew her scruf. Humm. I will probably look into doing a Ten. panel and also taking preventative measures with him if he doesn't have it, and the rest too.
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Post by Sherry on Feb 5, 2011 20:45:49 GMT -5
With Sinnead, I thought it was simple dominance, since there was no violence of any form. It looked like she was simply riding around on Lucrezia's back, while Lucrezia walked/crawled around.
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Post by shilohismygirl on Feb 5, 2011 22:28:17 GMT -5
That seems closer to what's going on here, except poor Shiloh is only about a pound and a half, and Oz is close to four. When he gets a mind to wrestle her down, well, there's not much she really can do other than try to be persistent.
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Post by Sherry on Feb 6, 2011 16:37:37 GMT -5
Poor girl! You can either hold off, see if any other symptoms show up, or you can talk to your vet and trial a couple of shots of lupron. If it has an effect, then it's unfortunately adrenal. If there's no difference at all, then for some odd reason, it's most likely behavioural. And the lupron will not hurt him even if it's not adrenal. Or, depending on where you are, you can have the Tenn. panel done. Not sure about your cost where you are.
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Post by darlene on Feb 7, 2011 1:19:28 GMT -5
A couple of years back,on other ferret groups a lady had a young female who had a swollen vulva,she didn't have adrenal problems but had an incomplete spay. Since then I've read on other groups where both sexes at young ages were showing sexual aggression and other adrenal symtoms. They were in fact incomplete spays and neutering. Someone was actually trying to get info together to bring up to Marshalls to try and get them to re-imburse people for medical expenses.
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