SuperFreak

Yesterday, while playing with my crazy little SuperFreak and Morrigan (see below), I noticed that her vulvar area was swollen, as if she were going into heat; however, my Freaky is a spayed and descented ferret and this should not be possible. Most ferrets in the U.S. are spayed and descented before being sold to the public, and, once these procedures have been completed, it is customary for two blue tattoos to be placed on the ferret's ear. Freaky had both blue dots.

Anyway, I called my vet, and I got her in this morning (it was time for my girls' annual shots, too) so he could take a look. My vet recommended I see a specialist; so, we went on to East Hilliard Vet Center where Dr. Chris gave SuperFreak a thorough examination, and she said, without doubt, my little one had adrenal gland disease. I was so shocked to hear this, and I cried my heart out. I had heard and read about adrenal gland disease in ferrets, and what I had remembered was all bad. I had never imagined one of my ferrets would ever have it - especially one who is not even two years old yet. I was so worried for my little Freaky, who was absolutely showing Dr. Chris how she earned her name by zipping around, sneaking in and out of my shirt, and prancing all over the place - all at once (that's mommy's girl - what a little showoff!).

Freaky's attitude and appearance are so important in this case because my Freaky is the picture of health, and I would NOT have known there were any problem, whatsover, except for the swelling of her vulva. Adrenal gland disease typically expresses itself by the ferret losing hair (or the hair begins to thin around the tail and then progress up and over the back), but my Freaky is still a furry little girl, and her weight is good. The first vet weighed her in at 1.4 pounds, and the second at 1.7. A healthy weight for a female ferret is between one and three pounds. Thank God her weight is good. I am just hoping we have caught this early enough and this is not cancerous.

Dr. Chris thoroughly explained Freak's treatment options, and listed the pros and cons of each - both medical and surgical. I love my little Freak, and I want her to have the best chance - best life possible; so, we opted for surgery. SuperFreak is scheduled for surgery Monday morning between 8:00 and 8:30.

For more information on Adrenal Gland Disease in ferrets, see Dr. Bruce William's article posted at Ferret Central.org.

Edited: Jess, haha, thank you! Yes, a female glider weight of one to three pounds would be most UNhealthy and worthy of note in both Guiness AND Ripley's - GOOD EYE, girl! I guess I did have gliders on my mind (don't I always?) ;)