From:
Dr. Bruce Williams
Date: 2001-02-26 03:38:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Ruptured Anus.
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "FurTulsa" <FURTulsa@H...> wrote:
> Some may have seen this on FML.
> About a month ago, we took in "Baron"... he had some sort of
ruptured anus and internal damage. The anal opening was 1"x1"
circular protruding, with about a 1/2" "crater.
> I should note: He was about 5 years old, the product on
a "backyard" breeding attempt and inbred, he and his littermate
sister have some visible deformities... just "small" things like stub
tails and deformed feet.
> If you WANT to see a pic of it, it is here, but I warn it is
graphic and ugly.
> http://members.home.com/furtulsa/image/BoySore.jpg
> Anyway... I corresponded with Dr Williams on it, and he was seen by
two local, ferret knowledgeable vets. Bottom line, the only consensus
was that it was either an external injury or some sort of bizarre
form of cancer/tumor.
> Within a week, he started have bleeding from it. Never terrible
heavy just constant... more like "leaking" but always bright red
fresh blood.
> Everyone agreed there did not seem much that could be done... he
was not likely to survive any type of surgery and the cause of the
site still was a mystery.
> For the past 3 weeks I have given him supplements to counteract the
blood loss and such and he remained stable, good weight and in all
other ways healthy and happy.
> This past Thursday night he stopped eating and drinking on his own
and was lethargic.... we increased supplements and hand fed and by
Friday morning seemed to be doing better. But by Friday night he was
crashing again.
> I sat up with him all Friday night and all day Saturday, force
feeding a supplement soup and medications and holding him. By a
feeding late Saturday he was no longer even having a swallow reflex
and I knew it was beyond hope.
> I called our wonderful vet and was to meet her at the clinic to
euthanize him, when I went to go get him, he was gone. I took him in
anyway and requested a necropsy.
> In those last 24 hours I noticed the "crater" of his anus had
increased in width by at least 1/2" and was thicker and protruding
further. There was also a hard lump in the wall on one side of the
crater. It also appeared that the "empty" area on the inside was
deeper.
> The vet will be doing an investigation on the anus and sending
tissue samples for analysis. No matter WHAT the answer, I know I will
still wonder what else I could have done to help him.
> If desired, I will be happy to post whatever information the
necropsy reveals here as well. Just offhand, does anyone have any
ideas or has ever seen anything like this?
> Susan (apologizing for the length but it is so bizarre)
Dear Susan:
I am sorry for your loss, but I know that Baron understood and
appreciated all your efforts up until the end.
I am hopeful if the tissues have not yet been sent off, that you
would consider allowing me to do the analysis at no charge. This
type of case, especially with the gross photos which you have, would
be of great academic interest, as it is very unique.
I look forward to your reply....
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM
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