From:
fuzztek@aol.com
Date: 2001-06-13 17:18:00 UTC
Subject: 2nd post: Help-Enlarged lymph nodes/Lab diagnosis
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., fuzztek@a... wrote:
> I would appreciate help from any vet on this board. I have a 2-3 yr
> old F shelter ferret(ADV-) whose lymph nodes became enlarged back
in
> March. Her spleen was grossly enlarged,lymph nodes under all 4
> legs,her neck,on her spleen & under her jaw where size of a marble.
X-
> rays should grape clusters in chest.Aspirate was done.
> 3/01 Report:Smears are highly cellular & consist predom. of
> sm.,mature lymphocytes w/small numbers of plasma cells,blasts &
> macrophages. Inflamation & overt neoplasia not observed.Background
is
> densely basophilic & mildly to moderately hemodiluted w/scattered
> lymphoglandular bodies & ruptured cells. DX: Reactive Hyperplasia.
> Was put on 1/4 5mg Pred.SID and Baytril. No response.Ferret is
> lethargic but eating, drinking,urinating & pooping normal.
> A biopsy was done.
> 5/3 Report:No lymphocytic follicles seen.Moderate diffuse
> hypertrophy of sinusodial histocytes. No neoplasia or infections
> found. DX: Histiocytic hypertrophy
> Increase Pred to BID.Chest nodes decreased,nodes on legs were gone
> but the neck & spleen increased. Bld wk on 6/6 : Urea N 38 -
AlkPhos
> 82 - Chloride 115 - Lactic Dehy 953 - Trigly 281 / CBC: Hemo 10.6
> Crit 32.4 - WBC 5.8 - RBC 7.60 - MCV 43 - MCH 13.9 All other values
N.
> The lab did a peripheral blood smear : Differential findings
suggest
> developing Lymphocytic Leukemia. Where do we go from here? Chemo?
>
> Yvonne
Dr. Williams
Would Chemo help this little girl or would it make for a poor
quality of life? I know there is no cure but I would like to make her
comfortable. Someone e-mailed me & stated I couldn't start chemo
because she has been on pred. Is this true?
Yvonne