From:
fhbythesea@aol.com
Date: 2001-09-27 03:38:00 UTC
Subject: Exocrine pancreatic cancer?
Many of you know that I had one of my personal ferrets, Dijon, have surgery
for insulinoma - they removed the most affected part of the pancreas and sent
it away for testing. Dijon is going to be 8 next month. She is doing okay for
an older ferret - instead of bouncing back she is steadily improving. Believe
me, I'm happy for that.
Since its one of my ferrets - well, it couldn't be a normal cancer - oh no
not here! Her cancer is an exocrine cancer - its preventing the release of
enzymes to help her digest. From the little I found easily on the web, it
doesn't appear to be a normal thing for ferrets. My question for those having
gone through this and to the vets that are on this list: whats our next step?
My vet has ordered prozyme (I think) for her but it won't be in until next
week. She is eating on her own, but her stools are still diarrhetic. Her
regular diet is pro plan kitten - yes I know its not great, but after ECE a
couple years ago, its the only thing that she will eat. I'm not pushing it at
her age. I am supplementing her with a feeding at least once a day of the
A/D, baby food and some nupro mixed in. She won't take it from your hand, but
will readily take it from a syringe.
Any ideas or things that I can do to help her are welcome. We do know that
the cancer is throughout her pancreas and so her insulinoma symptoms will
recur - what we are aiming for now is quality. Thanks.
Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
www.ferrethaven.org