Hi, I’ve been reading all the ferret postings here for a while, but this is my first time to post a real question… I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me out with a few questions I have concerning my 3yr old girly, Rula.

Tuesday I took Rula in for an exam due to some concerning hair loss around her tail and lower back. Sure enough, they confirmed that one of her adrenal glands was enlarged. They started her on Leupron shots. They also told me that during the exam they determined that she is a boy! *Ack! Surprise!* !! I swear, I did not know! She.. er, he (too weird).. is my first ferret and the SPCA sold her to me as a spayed female named Sonia. The news of her (his) identity has been sinking in slowly..

Anyhow, I have a couple questions regarding the above scenario. First, I probably would’ve elected for surgery to have the gland removed, but the doctor went ahead and started her on Leupron shots without consulting me. I wondered, is this customary? And is surgery still an option once Leupron treatments have been initiated? Rula is only 3yrs old and has no other health issues to prevent her from being a good candidate for surgery, but everything I’ve read on adrenal disease seems to suggest that treatment options consist of medical or surgery. One or the other, not first one, then the other. I’m worried that her vet may have unwittingly locked her into a course of treatment that I would not have ideally opted for.

Secondly, does anyone/everyone here have pet insurance for their fuzzies? And do you know if there is any exotic pet insurance that will cover a ferret with a pre-existing condition? I know I may be completely out of luck, and should have pursued this earlier, but I’ve been pretty strapped for cash the past several months and couldn’t quite make it happen. I’ve looked into VPI, but they don’t cover pre-existing conditions. I haven’t really been able to find any others. I appreciate any advice at all on this.

Thanks so much in advance for any and all information or advice!!

Cheers,

Melly ☺

hehehe Hi Melly :) The old switch-a-roo.....Ahhhh :) I had a boy I adopted from a rescue from Alabama :) He was originally named Lillian, Lilly for short. When he was surrenderred he was huge, like well over 3 # (and a Marshall Farms ferret from a petstore). Well the Shelter Mom, was like, this is the hugest girl I have ever seen. then noticed her BELLY BUTTON :) hehe Even their vet had Lilly as a GIRL.

Needless to say Lilly got a name change to Billy and I got him a couple of months later :) hehe

It happens.

I have had several ferrets go on Lupron and yes get the surgery. You can get the surgery as soon as you want (you do not have to wait for the Lupron to wear off or anything).

Pet Insurance usually will not cover ferrets with Adrenal, Insulinoma, or Lymphoma as they consider those "Pre-existing" diseases because almost all ferrets get one of them intheir lifetime.

The Pet Insurance can cover their shots (Rabies/Distemper) and their vet visits I think. not sure what Insurance to use though as I do not have it.

Good luck with your little man :) hehe Give him kisses for me !!!

Hey Melly
I do agree with Staci, I would get the surgery. I have even done adrenal surgery on a ferret as old as 7 years and they do will. Lupron will help, however, it is something you must keep up with. What I usually do is give a Lupron shot about 2 weeks before the surgery just to help out the with hair growing back.

As far as insurance...WORTHLESS!!! I did look into it as well and they do not cover anythings that ferrets normally get. What I do is place the $25.00 a month that I would pay for their insurance in a special account just for the kids and then when I need something it is there for them.

Let us know how things go!!!

Hugs!
Noni

Good advice! Thanks.. I will have to get that fuzzball surgery account going. I may have to stick with the Lupron treatments for a few months as one of my kitties also needs emergency surgery on Monday. All my critters have come up sick at the same time!! No good! :(

I appreciate the advice on both topics. I sort of suspected as much about the insurance, esp. since ferrets are so prone toward expensive illness of some sort eventually..

Do you find that the ferrets recover after surgery, or do they continue to need treatment? Ruli has not lost too much hair yet so that is not the biggest concern. But I heard that the other gland can often have problems after the first one is removed. I just want her to be all better.. I feel so bad that this is so common with ferrets.. they are such sweet little critters!

I'll let you know how she does... thanks again for the insight!

Melly :)

Honestly yes the other will get bad but how long is the question. Sometimes never, sometimes, 2-3 yrs, sometimes 1yr, sometimes 1 mth, you get the picture :)

I would get some Melatonin (compunded already) from your vet. It will help with the fur growth. The Lupron, yes continue it monthly (or however long the depot is by your vet, sometimes they are 3mth depots vs. 1 month).

Albert and Brownie were on it for a year before they got surgery :) So you can have htem on it for a bit :) Once his horomones start to get regulated by the Lupron (and Melatonin if you use it) then his fur will start growing back :)

Hugs and good luck!!