From:
ferret@panix.com
Date: 2001-03-23 10:43:00 UTC
Subject: Ferret with osteosarcoma
I'd appreciate any insight anyone might have into a ferret with a
possible regrowth of an osteosarcoma (cancerous bony mass on the
spine), please.
The ferret is an MF female, about one lb. and about five to five and
a half years old. She has had no other significant health problems
in her life.
Towards the end of December, I thought I first felt a small
"something hard" about the size of half a pea along the side of her
spinal column, right around the end of the rib cage. I kept an eye
on it, and in the middle of January, I could definitely detect
something. The mass felt rock hard, about the size of a dime, and I
thought it was attached to the bottom of her rib cage.
I took her to Dr. XXXX, who X-rayed and ultrasounded her. The
following week, he operated to remove the mass, which we had
biopsied. It was a *VERY LARGE* osteosarcoma (the size of a golf
ball .. no exaggeration), which had grown from the spinal column into
the abdominal cavity. It was very vascular, apparently fully
encapsulated, and attached to the spine by some sort of fiber. Dr.
XXXX was able to remove it intact, and Bianca seemed to have suffered
no lasting effects from the surgery.
It is now about two months later, and I believe I again feel
something on her spine, about in the same location as the last mass.
This mass feels like it is on the top of the spine (growing outwards,
not into the abdomen), also feels rock hard, and is maybe the size of
half a pea again.
Have any of you experienced anything like this before, and, if so,
could you give me some insight into it? I just spoke with XXXXX of
XXXXX(who works at Dr. XXXX office), and she suggested that I
keep an eye on the "mass" (if there is one), and post here to see if
anyone has any insight into it. Thank you!
- Ela
P.S. Throughout all of this, Bianca's behaviour hasn't really
changed at all. Although she occassionally shows some possible signs
of insulinoma (staring, a bit of a balance problem at times), it
never lasts long. She is in great spirits right now, has no mobility
problems, and does not seem to be in any pain or discomfort.