Update on Lily

[graculus]

The vet agreed with me that Lily has adrenal disorder, particularly in the light of not just the symmetrical hair loss on both sides but also the fact she is excessively itchy (more than usual!). Lily has, however, been pronounced as a good candidate for surgery because she was incredibly perky at the vets, and they're going to find out who in the area has some experience of doing the relevant operation and let me know. I was told they've got a good surgeon on staff but I was clear I would prefer someone who's actually done this operation before, if possible.

I also found the paperwork from where Lily had been chipped and discovered it had her down as being born in 2000. So, I've been telling everyone she's eight and in fact she's only six! This certainly puts even more weight on the side of getting the surgery done...

The only downside of the trip to the vet was the vet going "you're saying you want the surgery?" when it was clear I had more of an understanding of the fact than she did that surgery is the only way of curing this and medical management is pretty much that, management of the symptoms. Way to make me feel guilty! :P

Comments

[nakeisha.livejournal.com]

I do hope it all goes well.

[sg1scribe.livejournal.com]

That's good news. Fingers crossed on finding an excellent surgeon.

[obelix]

*hugs*

Sending good thoughts your way and Lily's

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Fingers crossed for Lily.

My literature search of the main UK veterinary practical (as opposed to academic) journal throws up the information that adrenal disease is uncommon in UK ferrets, although it's common in the US. Add to that the fact that the population of UK pet ferrets is a lot smaller than the US one, and there probably aren't many vets doing ferret adrenectomies in this country (going back a few years, I don't remember adrenectomies being that common in dogs ether, and there are far more cases of hyperadrenocorticism in dogs per year).

[graculus.livejournal.com]

The consensus of opinion seems to be that it's not that difficult an operation if it's the left adrenal gland (which I understand is like two-thirds of cases from the research I've seen cited), but the right one is close to the vena cava and therefore much more tricky.

We might get lucky and find they can refer to someone who's actually done one previously, but if not it still has to get done...

[pinkdormouse.livejournal.com]

Let me know who you go to; you've got me all intrigued now.