From:
katharine
Date: 2001-03-14 18:05:00 UTC
Subject: Question about Lymphoma in groups
Betty:
To quote from Dr. Karen Purcell's chemo protocol
for lymphoma
"Because of the probability that this disease is
viral in origin, monitor all ferrets in any
multiferret household containing a ferret with
lymphoma with at least annual CBC counts."
When Lily was diagnosed with lymphoma (and put on
Dr. Karen's protocol) we immediately tested all
the others. The plan was to test annually but
Lily didn't make it that long (March 2000). Blaze
was diagnosed with inoperable/untreatable lymphoma
just 5 1/2 months after Lily was euthanized
(September 2000). I asked that Blaze not be
waked up after surgery. She was beyond help at
that point. Luckily, we have had no more lymphoma
to this point. BTW, I lost my very first ferret,
Lucy, to lymphoma a little over 5 years ago. All
three died from lymphoma.
MC,
I liked your response to the bottled water
question. I agree that nutrients are removed from
bottled water and the ferrets may be missing some
nutrients that they need. I take water from home
when I travel with the ferrets and even take it to
the vets' office as we're on different water
systems.
I used distilled water with my wildlife babies as
they are unable to process large amounts of
chlorine and fluoride (they build up in their
systems). If I were on well water, I would give
it to them.
Katharine