Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i am adopting two ferrets. one has adrenal disease. they said he is to old for the operation and that he shold just be left to live out the rest of his life. he is 6 years old. does any one have any experience with a special needs ferret like him? how can i make him comfortable till his time comes. he will need vitamins. he has half a tail and i was told because of this he is off balance. i will have to make alot of ramps so he does not have to clime much. any other suggestions?

I would try asking a ferret knowledgeable vet what he/she thought. As for being too old at 6, if he's in good health otherwise, he's not too old. I've known other ferret owners, including myself, who have had surgeries done on their ferrets at that age and older. I've know some members from the ferret shelter I belong to that also didn't believe in that surgery. I've seen a few bald ones that haven't had the surgery and they seemed fine otherwise. They can also become very aggressive towards other ferrets. In males it can also affect their prostate gland. It gets enlarged and they can't pee very well. That is very painful and eventually the bladder could rupture.
Good luck!
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Kat
Ferret mom to Jasmine and Daffy
A Cheesehead from Wisconsin

Until you have him evaluated I wouldn't rule out surgery. Six isn't necessarily too old. That being said, there are medicinal alternatives if he's not a surgical candidate. I've used Lupron along with melatonin implants for inoperable adrenal tumors. I've had good results when the tumor wasn't malignant. With a male ferret you'll probably also want to add Propecia to the meds as it help with the prostate enlargement. There is some really good information on using these meds in the searchable archives of the Ferret Health List (www.smartgroups.com).
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I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.

thanks! i will be picking them up sometime this week. as soon as i know what day, im going to make a vet apointment for both of them. i have to travel 3 hours up and 3 hours back to get them but its worth it.

i got my babbies today! they are so qute. the girl i adopted them from gave me a five foot cage for them that i had to take apart to get in my room! she also gave me toys, a hammock, water bottles,two litter pans, and some ultimate ferret food. she was so nice. they started eating and drinking as soon as they got home. and then ran around and played for awhile. now they are sleeping soundly. i get paid friday and am making a vet apointment for them then.

Congrats!
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I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.

Congradulations! Btw, what are their names and how old is the girl? What colors? I hope everything goes well at the vet. Sounds like those 2 furballs are going to have a good loving home!
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Kat
Ferret mom to Jasmine and Daffy
A Cheesehead from Wisconsin

they are both boys. the 6 year old white one is podo and the 2 year old racoon colored one is kodo.