From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-04-30 13:40:00 UTC
Subject:
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "More Ferrets?!?" <moreferrets@h...>
wrote:
>
> we both have digital cameras - doc and i. he took the photos of
the x-rays with his digital (much better camera than mine) at my
> request, since my attempts to photograph the underarm lump were
pretty unsuccessful...i just couldn't get the lump to "appear" in
> 3D.
Sometimes large lumps image better when the hair is shaved. (OK,
ok,. you don't have to shave him now, but perhaps later, if remission
does not occur, let's consider it for posterity.
> > I'm not wishing to disagree with your vet here, but I'm just not
> > seeing a large chest mass in these images...
>
> i don't think he'd think you were disagreeing with him...i think
you just have to a) hear him breathing b) see the x-ray fresh and
> in person and c) feel the critter. it's not so much he sees a lump
as he sees a slight narrowing of the trachea. combine the x-ray
> with how he sounds and doc concluded that the trachea is being
pushed on - but certainly he wasn't making a proclamation in blood,
Sometimes you go with your gut. Anyone who has dealt with foreign
bodies in ferrets knows the difficulty and pressures that sometimes
goes with being the vet. This also sounds like one of those times.
> we were just trying to figure out how much misery he's in. he
mentioned that the lungs look good - filling well with air - so
> pressure on the trachea would be the most likely cause for how he
sounds (like he's drowning). oh - and woody now sleeps with his
> head propped up at a 90 degree angle where he is resting his chin
only...he can't rest with any pressure on his lower neck at all.
> > >
> > > he's been on HIGH pred dose for two weeks now. he's also been
> > through the first three days of luceran. 5 more days and he can
have
> > > the last 3 days of dosing. i'm still holding out for a
remission,
> > so i'm trying to make him comfy until i'm convinced this isn't
> > > going to work. any suggestions on making him more comfortable
(i
> > doubt it)?
> >
> > Yes, there is very little to do to make him more comfortable -
wihout
> > surgical excision of the neoplasms that are impeding the
breathing.
> > Usually, after several days of high dose pred, the masses in
steroid-
> > responsive lymphomas become notceably, if not more, smaller. The
> > fact that these masses are not getting small is unfortunately, a
poor
> > prognostic sign.
>
> yep, that's exactly what doc said. frankly i was really hoping to
at least finish up this luceran treatment...but i'm thinking
> perhaps i'm being a bit too hopeful/selfish and should give up
right quick. it's heartbreaking to see a 2 year old try so hard
> STILL to investigate and be happy and playful, yet not have the
energy after spending it all on sucking air...he's still so alert
> and perky, just miserable...it's just been remarkably difficult for
me to decide to give up. :( have you used luceran before?
>
Sorry, it's not in my repertoire. If he is still trying to
investigate and be happy and pleyful, then it's not time just yet.
Time is when it takes too much effort just to beithe and eat,a nd all
of the time in between is spent exhausted.
> ooh - while i have you: i'm going to send clyde's tissue along to
you. i have photos as well. you mentioned that you were having
> trouble with e-mail...i can print *decent* color prints of the
photos, but i think yo
That seems to be cleared up at the moment. High resolution digital
images wil do quite well.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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