From:
jazmufsky@aol.com
Date: 2002-10-14 12:18:51 UTC
Subject: facial masses growing quickly--urgent
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2522152.1034597931955.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Bear, two weeks ago, started with a bulging left eye. I took him to our vet, who could find no reason for the bulge but did say he suspected Bear was blind in that eye. Three days later, a very hard marble-sized lump appeared near where his jaws meet. He seemed to be in no pain. Still was eating (weighs in at four pounds)and drinks fine, even enjoying his chew sticks and cheweasels.
I work for a human ophthalmologist who was kind enough to do an eye exam in case it was glaucoma or some sort of retrobulbar tumor. His intraocular pressures were equal at 35. His optic nerve and retina were symmetrical in both eyes. He did concur with the vet's opinion that Bear is blind in the left eye.
Took him back to the vet, and the Dr tried to aspirate the lump but it was rock hard. He said his lymph nodes were normal and even the ophthalmologist agreed there were no lymph nodes near the lump. I have a friend with a ferret (also one of his patients) who had a similar problem and it turned out to be an abcess with Clavamox taking care of it. Bear has been on Clavamox for ten days, and it felt like the lump had begun to go down. Last night, I noticed the lump had swollen a bit more and had an additional lump over his left eye. Still, no change in eating or drinking habits and doesn't seem to be in any pain. There is no evidence of any abcess in his ear or gum/teeth area.
I have a call in to the vet this am but he is stumped. It has become urgent now that the second lump has appeared. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most welcome. Thanks.
Earlicks and toebitings to all,
Trish