On friday, I took Maximus (pictured on the right, curled up in one of my Centre College fleeces on my sheepskin rug) to the vet, as I noticed some of his tail-hair getting thin. The verdict: Max has adrenal disease. It could lead to cancer, but I caught it early enough that he can be treated with hormone therapy for now, then we can switch to ferret chemotherapy if it gets worse. He's not in pain, but he will live a shorter ferret life and lose the hair on his body with the exception of his face and the tip of his tail. He gets a shot once a month (which is very very painful, judging from the look on Max's face after they stuck it right into his tiny shoulder bone), and this should keep his adrenal gland from overproducing hormones that could cause health problems.
When the vet explained everything to me, I guess I was in shock, and just trying to digest the information. I stayed pretty collected, until I got into the car, where I balled my eyes out. Couldn't go back to work, as my eyes were nearly swollen shut. Yeah, it was sucky. However, I've come to terms with everything: Max is being treated, he still plays and eats, and he's not in pain. I'm trying to keep a good sense of humor about it, since there is a chance that he may lose his beautiful fur and end up looking like a splotchy naked mole weasel. ('Rat' is derogatory to Max)
My next plan of action goes something like this:
1. Patent one of those rubber awareness bracelets in a color that hasn't already been snatched.
2. Buy some awesome ferret treats and spoil my little furry dude.
3. Continue pushing Kentucky to legalize marijuana, so Max can get a medical card. I'll strap him in his little red harness and we'll go for a leisurely little walk to the compassion center, where we can pick up his Rx.
Regardless of the bad news I got, the vet also gave Maximus some meaningful compliments:
He has excellent teeth for a ferret (even though he has a tiny gap between his two front bottom teeth...which are too small for braces)
He has beautiful fur.
He is a happy ferret with a friendly demeanor.
According to Dr. Dalhaussen, Maximus is very well-behaved, and withstood a very painful shot without whining, biting, or any type of aggressive reaction common to other ferrets getting the same shot. No lie, I was really proud of him for being such a trooper. I think I cried and whined enough for both of us!
All is not lost, just new challenges ahead. One love.
