Message Number: YG1564 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-03-21 21:05:00 UTC
Subject: Re: small lump

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Lynda Galloway" <galloway@m...>
wrote:
> I recently liberated (?) a baby from an aquarium lined with cedar
chips from a petstore. He is doing wonderful now but I found a very
small lump in the upper neck, area when we got home. It does not
hurt. I thought maybe it was from his first shot before I met him but
his next shot was in the bum area. I took him to the vet today and
she said she thought it may just be scar tissue from a bite from one
of his litter mates. I had to put her finger on the lump as she said
she was "cautious" with ferrets and I held him during the exam so I
was a little concerned.
> Does scar tissue sound correct?

Dear Lynda -

Local fibrosis (scar) is in the realm of possibility, but is
certainly not the only possibilty here. Cystic sweat glands, skin
tumors, and a localized inflammatory reaction to a previous
vaccination (ferrets are often vaccinated in the scruff) are seen
more frequently than scar tissue in this site.

While it is likely a benign lesion - it is worthy or removal and
examination by a pathologist.


With kindest regards,

Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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