From:
Dr. Bruce Williams
Date: 2001-03-05 21:36:00 UTC
Subject: Re: growth on eye lid
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., steve austin <kazpat1@j...> wrote:
>
> I noticed a small growth on the inside of the upper lid of my
ferret, it
> appears the same tissue as the underside of the eyelid, but appears
as a
> small nodule can be seen when the eye is open. No redness to the
eye, or
> tearing.
>
> Anyone have this in their ferret, or practice?
>
> Is this something that can grow and need removal, or just a
protuberance
> of the tissue that is "normal"?
>
> Thank you,
>
> Patty
Dear Patty - this is something that definitely can grow and need
removal. A small nodule can be one of several things on the inside
of the eyelid. eyelid tumors are fairly common in ferrets, and
usually fall into two groups - either Meibomian gland adenomas -
tumors of the glands that are present at the interface of the haired
and non-haired skin of the eyelid, or rarely, nerve sheath tumors (an
odd tumor to see here, but the most common site for them.) Another
possibility is a small inflammatory nodule also arising from the
Meibomian glands - sometimes they get plugged, rupture, and form
small inflammatory nodueles (which will regress over time) called
chalazions. The last possibility would be an aberrant hair follicle.
My suggestion would be to wathc it closely - if there is any sign of
discomfort or irritation (the ferrets eye will be watering and the
lid will be partially closed), then we go in and have it removed.
(I'd be happy to look at it for you at no chanrge - don't see too
many eyelid tumors.)
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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