From:
Outlaw50@aol.com
Date: 2002-09-03 05:27:10 UTC
Subject: Tumor in spleen found - remove?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <14f.136d3ddb.2aa5a22e@aol.com>
Recently, I traveled out of town to have adrenal surgery on my Akia Bear, who
has Waardenburg syndrome. Although both glands were enlarged, only the left
was removed. Akia has a lot of "steroidal" fat deposits and the vet said he
could feel but not see the right adrenal gland. I had the opportunity (for
the first time) to "observe" the surgery. First, Akia's spleen was enlarged
(although not grossly) and he had a rather large mass (about the size of a
marble) in the spleen. The end of the spleen where the mass is, is a very
dark red/brown, with the entire spleen being red/brown. I requested that a
biopsy be taken, but for whatever reason, this vet did not want to do that.
In speaking with my own vet (who, sadly, does not do adrenal surgery), she
feels that Akia's spleen needs to come out, which would entail another
surgery down the road.
Also, Akia was insulinomic. The vet found blood vessels (around, in, near?)
the pancreas...making it difficult for him to see to remove the nodule and
the end of the pancreas where the nodule was. Whatever these vessels were,
he said they were NOT supposed to be there. Unfortunately, he did not have
time to take pictures of either Akia's spleen or these blood vessels. I have
heard that the WA ferrets sometimes have organs, etc., "out of place" inside
them. I also know that a friend had a ferret with blood vessels all entwined
with the intestines, which, sadly had to be euthanized. (I'm sorry I can't
remember what she called the condition right now.)
I guess my question is whether to put Akia through more surgery. He had a
difficult time with this one and we were not sure he was going to make it
through for a while.
Akia is just over 5 years old. His right adrenal is still enlarged and
"should" come out, but I haven't been able to find much information about
tumors in spleens. Can anyone help? Thank you.
Judy
Please give to Aleutian Disease research - the ferret you save may be your
own.
http://www.geocities.com/russiansmom/
Judy
Please give to Aleutian Disease research - the ferret you save may be your
own.
http://www.geocities.com/russiansmom/