From:
sukiecrandall@telocity.com
Date: 2001-09-20 09:46:00 UTC
Subject: Re: neurological symptoms/brain lesion diagnosis
Part of that sounds very familiar. It sounds like possible
cardiomyopathy with abdominal ascites and thrown clots, one of
which is affecting the brain. Please, have at least a chest x-ray
done, preferably an ultrasound unless the ferret is so far gone
that hope is given up. In that case this serves as a reminder to
folks that cardiomyopathy is somewhat common in these little
guys, and that even though it is terminal it can be treated in ways
to provide quality and quantity of life. Too many ferret people and
vets don't yet realize this due to many vet schools not teaching
about ferrets. The less common form of cardiomyopahty in them
(hypertrophic) canbe hard to diagnose and can send out some
confusing symptoms; wasting has been seen by about 5 ferret
people with ferrets that turned out to have that variant.
Remember that I am not a vet, just someone who has ferrets in
the family for 19 years.
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Ingrid" <iar2@c...> wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I've read in the archives that brain lesions/tumors are unlikely
in ferrets.
> My ferret has been diagnosed with a lesion in the brain as a
result of his
> symptoms and from ruling out most other possibilities. I was
hoping to post
> here and see if any of you had any ideas.
>
> He has the following symptoms:
> -Drunk walk which has recently gotten much worse and has
made it difficult
> to walk at all
> -Right-sided weakness - also shows lack of response on right
side during
> brief neuro exam by my regular vet
> -Doesn't seem to 'focus'
> -Enlarged abdomen, often very firm to the touch
> -Wimpering with pressure on abdomen
> -Frequent loose stools, VERY smelly
> -Drinking excessive water
> -Lethargic
> -Splenomegaly
> -No loss of appetite or weight
> -Very large fat deposits on all lymph nodes, largest is right side
of neck
> and is about the size of a large grape
>
> We've ruled out insulinoma, adrenal, and lymphosarcoma by
exploratory
> surgery and biopsy of a complete lymph node. He tested
negative for ADV.
> My vet has also ruled out renal failure from bloodwork and
urinalysis.
>
> I've posted about this guy before and got some responses, but
everything
> that was suggested has been ruled out. I'd love to hear from
anyone with
> any ideas. Right now things don't look very good and he's not
getting
> around much at all. I'm not sure that the brain lesion is the last
possible
> diagnosis, but I don't think putting him under anesthesia is a
good idea at
> this point to do more invasive tests.
>
> Thanks for your help,
> Ingrid