From:
Dr. Bruce Williams
Date: 2001-03-05 21:06:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Monadonak ferret: Digest Number 38 -
While there is always the possibility of a lymphoma in this region,
based on the location (a great way to get burned, making a diagnosis
from the location), the top of my list is a hyperplastic lymph nodes.
Whic brings up a very important point about abdominal lymph nodes -
they are commonly enlarged and hyperplastic in ferrets. Why?
Because of the ubiquity of chronic inflammation in the GI tract of
ferrets - Helicobacter infections in the stomach or previous
infection with coronavirus (ECE), or both, most older ferrets have
reactive, enlarged nodes in the abdomen.
If you want to diagnose lymphoma in a ferret, the absolute worst
tissue to send is a mesenteric lymph node - the reactive changes can
be extremely severe and often confused with lymphoma. In some cases,
the lymphoma is readily diagnosed, but in many others, it can be a
confusing, confusing, thing.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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Health-list
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., toucanvet@a... wrote:
> This mass could be any number of things. I've seen some really
weird
> diagnosis lately from masses in this region. I'd be worried about
> Lymphsarcoma because that could invade all of the organs. I've
been burned
> not taking samples from organs - even if the look ok. The last
ferret I did
> surgery on had a completely normal liver at surgery but I biopsied
it because
> we always do and the diagnosis came back
> a month later CANCER. I had the slides reviewed and new slides cut
from the
> tissue
> and all 7 pathologists agreed - CANCER.
>
> Based upon the discription of the location of this mass alone could
have
> altered the motility. I would like to hear dr williams opnion on
this masses
> from this location.
>
> Benjamin A. Otten, DVM
> Avian & Exotic Pet Medicine
> The Animal Medical Center
> 510 East 62nd St NY, NY 10021
> (212) 329-8714
> ben.otten@a...