QUESTION:
Wylie seems to be trying to go to the bathroom but nothing ever comes out. He also wimpers while he tries to go to the bathroom. I recently took him to the vet because he is losing his hair, and they did a urine and blood test which showed nothing. Do you know what would be causing both his hair loss and his trouble urinating?

ANSWER:
It sounds as if he has ADRENAL DISEASE., is your vet ferret knowledgable? Is Wylie urinating at all? If they tested his urine and it was not an infection, it sounds as if his PROSTATE is enlarged, which is one of the problems associated with adrenal disease. The prostate is probably squeezing the ureter and preventing the flow of urine.

If Wylie blocks up completely this will be a life threatening situation and he will need a catheter to relieve the urine from the bladder. Adrenal disease requires, either surgery to remove the tumor on the adrenal(s), or depending on Wylie's age and health status, a medical treatment can be started right away, such as Lupron or Melatonin.

Please go to: www.miamiferret.org Click on HEALTHCARE and then ADRENAL DISEASE. PLEASE copy info for your vet, or find another vet who has experience with this problem, as it takes a knowledgable vet to give you the options and correct advice. If I can help further please let me know and I do hope you can find help for Wylie asap.

QUESTION:
It seems like my oldest male Zeus has been having trouble going to the bathroom. He has tried to pee several times and nothing comes out. I am going to call my vets tomorrow morning first thing. I just hope he is o.k. during the night. I am going to try and get him to drink more water. He does have adrenal disease and is on lupron shots. I know that with adrenal they can get that but I also know that they can get blocked up which I do not want to happen. It seems like when he tries to pee he whimpers a little. If you can give me any suggestion I would appreciate it. Thanks.

ANSWER:
If Zeus is not urinating at all, then that is an emergency!!! I would not wait until morning, but see if you can call your vet tonight! If you want to try soaking him in warm water and massaging his belly 'gently', that might help, but make sure you wrap him in a warm towel after, so that he does not get a chill. I would be very careful and if he tries to bite you, then that is because he is in terrible pain and you will need to seek medical help right away!!!

It sounds as if his prostate is swollen blocking off the urethra, or it could be an infection, but whichever it is, he is whimpering because it hurts and giving him more water is only going to 'blow-up' his bladder more and making it more painful!!!