From:
williamsb@comcast.net
Date: 2002-09-19 14:51:57 UTC
Subject: RE: tumor on tongue
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3485160.1032447117584.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Author wrote:
> new surrender with many troubles, including a growth on his tongue. he h=
as insulinoma and isn't exactly feeling perky despite being on pred for nea=
rly two weeks yet...so if surgery ever is an option it isn't right now! :)=
martin is having a hard time eating. LOTS of tlc, including fluids, mush=
ie, snuggling, begging, pleading and cajoling has him on solid chow again, =
but boy is he having a hard time. unfortunately this growth, located on th=
e center of the tongue, about the middle of overall length, is "tall" enoug=
h to lay over and get in the way of his crunching teeth. chewing the silly=
thing can't be any fun! doc's opinion: he's seen this kind of tumor befo=
re and it's never good (grows until it takes over); since he has insulinoma=
and is overall unstable we decided removal might never be an option. any =
advise to offer to help this fellow be more comfortable? his spirits are u=
p and he's not ready to leave us yet; i'd just like to make him more comfor=
table. any pain relief available for this fellow? could be temporary (thi=
nking anbesol) or systemic. thx!
Dear Motor City:
Personally, I don't know if I have seen this type of tumor before, so it ce=
rtainly has flagged my interest. Perhaps your vet has seen it in an animal=
other than a ferret.
Have you discussed insulinoma surgery with your vet, at which time you can =
at least biopsy the thing and find out what it is. While a picture would b=
e more helpful, I am starting from the assumption that it is not interferin=
g with function, as is likely benign in nature, possibly a papilloma.
Surgery is generally of more benefit in cases of insulinoma which are not i=
nitially responding to prednsione.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
=