From:
ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2001-10-09 02:55:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Digest Number 421
In a message dated 10/09/01 8:12:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com writes:
although he mentioned Lysodren but ruled it out due to side
effects
and a poor response for an animal with carcenoma. He feels her
demise
will come from problems most related to the functioning of the
vena
cava not the hormone excess, he mentioned the pancreas looked
healthy.
He was not familiar with Lupron but had one ferret on melatonin.
Lysodren does not tend to do very well. Lupron is my drug of
choice, followed by Casodex - they block the symptoms of the adrenal
problem, but the tumor is still there and still growing, as you
mentioned. However, be advised that the majority of ferrets with
blockage of the vena cava develop enough collateral circulation that
that blockage is not really a problem.
Surgery for her is still an option as long as her remaining kidney
is functioning properly - if her kidney values are off, then it
becomes more iffy. You might want to think about a second surgical
opinion, based on the findings - call the University, ask them about
their recommendations. Maybe the ferret vets there know of someone
closer to you that has the expertise.
And I know that he has you worried about a carcinoma - just be aware
that no veterinarian can determine whether an adrenal tumor is a
carcinoma or not based on what it looks like grossly. It takes the
expertise of a pathologist to determine that. I have seen some very
large adrenal tumors come back as adenomas, not carcinomas. On the
opposite hand, I have had some teeny ones come back as carcinomas.
That's why it's always important to have pathology done.
Good luck.
Dr. Ruth
*****************************************
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