From: Lynn McIntosh [faiml@uswest.net] Sent: Sunday, September 19, 1999 3:47 PM To: FAIMLanon; FAIML Subject: FAIML #333; Sept. 19, 1999 Ferret Adrenal/Insulinoma Mailing List (FAIML) #333; Sept. 19, 1999 1. new problem - need help soon! 2. Lupron Experiences? 3. Red skin 4. disney crosses over the bridge The FERRET ADRENAL/INSULINOMA MAILING LIST (FAIML) is a group that's come together to share support and information about adrenal and insulinoma diseases. FAIML comes out in digest format three to six times per week, depending on the number of posts sent, and their urgency. FAIML information is the opinion, only, of subscribers, mostly ferret caretakers. It is not medical advice, comes with no guarantee of accuracy, and is not meant to replace the examination and medical oversight of a qualified veterinarian. If your ferret is sick or exhibiting signs of illness take your fur kid to the most ferret-experienced vet you can find! A ferret-experienced vet is one of the most important services you can provide to your ferret. TO POST: Write POST at the end of your subject heading (the more specific you can be in your subject heading, the better) and send to . URGENT POSTS: If you feel the message is urgent please mark it POST URGENT and I'll send it out to subscribers as soon as I can, then include the message in the next list. CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS: Please write POST ANONYMOUS after your subject heading if you don't want your address or last name published. SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE: Just use the one address for posts, subscription questions, requests, cancellations, comments, etc. The list is run by hand so just send me an e-mail. ADRENAL/INSULINOMA WEBSITE: FAIML ARCHIVES/PHOTOS: Past FAIMLs are being archived, with a search feature, on Michael Janke's adrenal/insulinoma web site: . Michael is also kindly posting pictures of FAIML subscribers and the ferrets at this site in the FAIML Album. Check out his site for more info. PAM GREENE's FERRET FAQs: I suggest people read (and reread) Pamela Greene's Disease FAQ's on Insulin and Adrenal diseases, as they offer a good background. I forward them to all new subscribers, and will gladly send them upon request. I also send the "Disease Package", a file that tells how to get all six of Pamela Greene's FAQs on ferret diseases. Pam also has excellent FAQ's about general ferret care as well, and a link to these may be found on the FERRET CENTRAL web site: . THE FERRET MAILING LIST (FML): The FML has 3,000+ ferret-loving subscribers and the topic is simply ferrets, ferrets, and more ferrets. Moderated by Mr. Bill Gruber, it's a good source of ferret entertainment and information. Visit FERRET CENTRAL on the web (see paragraph above) for more info on the FML. To subscribe to the FML, send email to its moderator, Bill Gruber, at and ask to be added. You can also try subscribing automatically by sending email to with the command SUBSCRIBE FERRET in the body of the email. 1. Subject: new problem - need help soon! From: KIMBERLY WILLIAMS Date sent: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 14:47:54 -0700 Hello, I wanted to introduce myself and my sick little fuzzy, Rascal. I got him from a previous owner (he was a rescue to her too). We just went through adrenal surgery, but now that I'm on this list, I am interested to know what exactly the vet did. I never really thought about it before. I don't know whether the gland or glands were removed, or if it was just the tumor. I do know it was on the right side. No, uh, adhesion (?) to the vena cava. I plan on calling my vet on Monday to find out more. I figure this makes a big difference on post surgery treatment. It's been about 3 1/2 weeks. He has been very lethargic. He is on steriods, and I push the water. I went to another vet to do some follow up blood work because I felt there was something else going on. Luckily his glucose is fine (he was doing the flat ferret deal, no other clinical signs of seizures etc etc) but his WBC and neutrophils, and RBC are very low, and his liver enzymes are high. I didn't really know what to do, neither do my vets, so we started him on some antibiotics, amoxicillin right now. I just reduced his steriods to .5 ml every other day. He's been on the antibiotic for 2 days. he does seem perkier, although he tired quickly. He doesn't war dance yet, but I think his fur is starting to look better....I guess the main question is: where do I go from here? What kind of questions should I ask the vet who did surgery?? (i have a wellness vet that i like alot, but she doesn't do surgery on ferrets, another vet did) Sorry to be so long with this message. I kind of think this is urgent so I know what to ask my vet on Monday, so if I need to start any kind of treatment, I can. thanks for all your forthcoming advice. Kim and Rascal 2. Subject: Lupron Experiences? From: "Lori M. Sulik" Date sent: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 12:34:14 -0400 Hi all, New to the list, sorry if this has been discussed to death. Rado is 8'ish years old sable, with a confirmed adrenal. Surgery is not an option, since her kidneys are starting to fail & the doc doesn't think the anethesia would be a good idea. (numbers don't seem too bad, but don't want to make it worse, y'know?) Looking to get an idea of how risky Lupron is -- my vet already told me about the "falling over" thing.. (sounds like quite a head rush to me ;) Figured while she was doing her research, I'd do my own. Been reading up in the FAQs, Ferret Central, etc, and sounds like Lupron is the miracle drug for Adrenals. Wanting to get the other side of the story -- side effects? deaths? Haven't read *any* ferret bad press on the stuff, which makes me wonder.. (lots of "class action lawsuit" sites out there for humans, though) Thanks much, Lori sulik@home.com 3. Subject: Red skin From: "Michael F. Janke" Date sent: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 01:51:38 -0400 > 1. Subject: Is red skin a symptom of adrenal disease? > From: "Roberto" I have a > problem...Junior is 2 years old male. He lost a lot of hair from the > tail and furthermore he has developed red skin since 10-15 days ago. > It looks like he has some sort of food allergies: he has red ears, > red mouth (lips), red nose, he is red around the eyes, and his paws > are red too and he has lost hair in the red areas. It sounds like it could be an allergic reaction to something. Maybe food, but maybe something else. What are you bathing him with? What are you washing his bedding with? It's not a common symptom associated with adrenal disease. For the ferrets, Mike * Michael F. Janke, mjanke@miamiferret.org * Secretary, South Florida Ferret Club & Rescue * A 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation * * Shelter web site: http://www.miamiferret.org * Adrenal/Insulinoma web site: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc 4. Subject: disney crosses over the bridge From: "Diane Ashton" Date sent: Sun, 19 Sep 1999 10:24:35 -0800 I have a friend who adopted a ferret from me. I got a call from her this morning that she had helped her to cross over last night. Disney was an older girl with Adrenal disease and last November was diagnosed with Insulinoma. Disney had not eaten on her own since March and Ruth had done all she could afford to do for her. She would still rally from time to time but she began to experience bloody stools and after a consult with the vet, they felt it was time. This was hard for Ruth after fighting for Disney for so long, but she is a peace now and can once more run a play like the fur child she was born to be. Diana and The Ferret Farm ---------------------- End of FAIML #333 ----------------------