From:
katharine@nettally.com
Date: 2001-11-22 15:11:00 UTC
Subject: Re: to people who have tried chemo
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Jen & Andre" <jen.andre@i...> wrote:
> I'd like to know how many people have gone with chemo for their
ferrets and whether the results were good fair or poor >
We tried chemo on Lily when she was diagnosed with lymphoma.
Prognosis was 1-2 months without treatment. We put her on chemo (the
protocol in Dr. Purcell's book) and I had her euthanized 3 1/2 months
later. Would I do it again? Probably not for lymphoma. It just
progresses too quickly. I think that once we realize there's a
problem and it's diagnosed, it has progressed beyond reasonable hope.
Just my opinion.
Chemo is stressful on the ferret. There really are no side effects
other than some tiredness after one of the drugs (Vincristine?) for a
day or two. They have to be taken to the vet every week (or every
other, depending on where you are in the protocol). For IV
injections, a CBC has to be done prior to chemo and they have to stay
all day for observation. For regular injections, you just take them
and get the injection and go home.
Chemo is very expensive. I think I was spending $400- $500 per month.
I still have the protocol and prices.
One visit: Doxorubicin $81.90
Iso 24.00
CBC 28.95
Another: Cytoxan: 27.39 (no CBC or Iso)
Another: Vincristine: 41.80
Iso 24.00
CBC 28.95
Predisone is given throughout.
Just to give you an idea....
I don't think it was worth it to put Lily through all of the trips and
injections and it really didn't prolong her life very much. And, much
of that prolonged life was spent at the vets' office.
I'm not making any recommendations, just expressing my opinion from
our experience.
Katharine