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About Cassie
Expertise
I have owned ferrets for a little under 11 years. I am not a vet and cannot diagnose an illness. I am knowledgeable enough to answer most questions dealing with care of ill and elderly, general well-being, adoption process , training, safety(ferret proofing), housing requirements, engaging and mind enhancing games, grooming, vaccination, behavior, nipping,nutrition, and common symptoms of diseases. I can direct anyone to a ferret friendly veterinarian. I will, however, do my very best to answer any questions to the best of my ability. I have personally dealt with most ferret illnesses.

Experience
I have been and am currently a ferret owner for a little under 11 years. I volunteer at a ferret shelter along with a general shelter who gets ferrets in regularly. I don't work there but I observe a ferret vet on a regular basis and study everything possible. I also take in poorly kept ferrets and ferrets that have been abused to nurse them back to health so they can go to qualified homes.

Organizations
American Ferret Association

Education/Credentials
I am currently enrolled to receive my Bachelor's degree before taking my entrance exam for my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and on my way to become a veterinarian. I also teach a class at my local shelter on proper care, behavior, common illnesses and nutrition when someone comes in to adopt a ferret.

Awards and Honors
I have received quite a few "best answers" on yahoo answers.

Past/Present Clients
Although I am not a "professional" I have worked with many many ferrets and their owners. I have taught owners how to nip train their ferrets, potty train. I have pointed people in the direction of the closest ferret friendly vet when the need arises. I have taken in abused and abandoned ferrets to nurse them back to health both physically and emotionally.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Ferrets > Adrenal Disease

Ferrets - Adrenal Disease

Expert: Cassie - 11/4/2009

Question
Cassie-

My ferret is an 8 1/2 month old baby girl named Chloe that I bought from a pet store and she is a Marshall Farms Ferret. She lives in a normal ferret cage with another ferret. With plenty of new food and water each day. From day one when I bought her she has always been very small even now that shes grown shes still very small. The new ferret we bought weighs almost as much as she does! Also from the start we have noticed severe itching. We've checked her for mites even took her to a small local vet who said that its probably just dry skin. But its terrible she looks miserable when she itches its constant. So I called an exotic animal vet who deals with ferrets and other exotic animals on a regular basis and when speaking to them they said the thing that I already was expecting that she more than likely has adrenal disease. I have heard that Marshall Farms ferrets seem to get adrenal disease more due to the early spay/neuter. But anyways I'm taking her in for an exam on Friday (11/6/09) and they are going to take a good look at her. The lady on the phone said if she does have it they recommend the depo-lupron shot and they said that it will run me 55 a shot for once a month for however many months. They didn't speak to me about the surgery so I don't know if they don't offer it. I was wondering since shes young and we caught it early if indeed that's what it is and we do the shot treatment how long of a life will she live, will she be in pain, and how often do they have to do the shots is it forever because if so and even if it isn't it might be cheaper to just go with the surgery in the long run. I love this little girl to death I have grown so attached to her and I will do anything for her. I'm just a little unsure of what to expect.

Answer
It is very rare for a ferret that young to have adrenal disease possible but rare. Some ferrets are very small I have a male who is very tiny only weighing in at 2 lbs he looks almost like a kit compared to my other ferrets.

If it is indeed adrenal then the Lupron is a very good way to go. Depending on how fast the disease progresses she could live a full normal life just have to get injections, an implant or surgery. It depends on the ferret and how badly the disease affects that particular ferret. Of the medication is affective she would not be in pain.

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