From:
sunshinerally@yahoo.com
Date: 2001-06-06 02:06:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Cysts
Another question! We are planning on having the cyst removed, but
could not find any information about cysts or scent glands (related to
cysts) in a book written by DVM Judith Bell or Hillyer Quesenberry
(Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents). Would prefer to know what is involved
in cutting out this cyst before it happens. Will the vet be cutting
nerves, or what type of veins or what matter? We don't want to
permantly damage the ferret by removing the cyst versus aspirating the
cyst. Any information you can provide would be helpful. I just don't
like to get involved in matters which my knowledge is 0. Also,
thought removing the cyst would be a local anesthectic, but the vet
has to put the ferret to sleep. Is this normal? This will be
our first medical issue with our ferrets besides a spay and
neuter. Thanks!
Debbie
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Bruce Williams, DVM" <williams@e...>
wrote:
> --- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., sunshinerally@y... wrote:
> > An individual on the FML list serve suggested my question be
posted
> > here, so here it comes. One of our ferrets had a clear water cyst
> on
> > her neck which was about 1/4 inch long and may be 1/8th inch high.
> > The vet aspirated the cyst and the bump went down totally. The
vet
> > said "a cyst can be genetic and if so, the ferret would be more
> prone
> > to getting more" and also, the cyst could be from an ingrown hair.
> > Eleven days after having the cyst aspirated, another cyst
> > appeared which was about 1/8th inch from the original cyst and
> looked
> > very similiar to the old cyst. BIGs archives only showed 24
> related
> > issues concerning cysts in 6 years, which tells me they are not
too
> > common. Would anyone suggest we wait awhile until the cyst grows
> or
> > should we try to aspirate it now? From the information obtained,
> > cysts are not a life or death issue and doesn't need to me
removed.
> In
> > touching the cyst, my determination is, she is uncomfortable with
> me
> > touching her cyst. Since the ferrets bite her in this area, would
> > also assume this could be irritating to her, any suggestions?
> > TIA!
> >
> > Debbie
>
> Dear Debiie - Actually, cysts are fairly common, but they are
mundane
> and not worth a lot of mention. The cysts that we see in ferrets
are
> generally swollen scent glands, whose ducts have become blocked - so
> they swell. You are not aspirating water, but the secretion ofthe
> gland, and over time, these cysts continue to enlarge and secrete.
> You are generally faced wither with surgery to remove it, or just
> repeated aspiration. Aspirating earlier is alwasy better, before it
> has a chance to grow even larger, but surgery is still the best
> option, especially if they are multiple. It is unusual for ferrets
> to be bothered by touchign the cyst, but if this is the case, then
> all the more reason to remove in entirely. The good news is that
> these items are only very rarely malignant, so excision should be
> curative.
>
>
> With kindest regards,
>
> Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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