From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-08-15 23:47:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Lump on tail?
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Amy & Dave Seyler"
<amy_daveseyler@h...> wrote:
> It's me again, with my 7 y.o. ferret who only eats Meow Mix. (I've
had no success weaning in the good stuff, so I figure, he's 7, why
bother?)
>
> I noticed today that Max has a lump on his tail, down toward the
end. It feels like a hard round ball, about pea-sized. Is this a
chordoma? Does it need to be removed? Is it cancerous? What else
could it be?
Dear Amy and Dave:
99% chance that it is a chordoma - end of the tail, hard - looks like
the ferret wants to hit a big bass drum with it? It's a chordoma.
While these tumors are malignant, at the end of the tail, amputation
is an excellent treatment mode, and should take care of the problem.
Chordomas are only really bad when they arise in other parts of the
spine - end of the tail is the best place to have them, if you've got
to have them.
More info at www.afip.org/ferrets on chordomas.
With kindest regards,
bruce williams, dVM