From:
leese10ferts
Date: 2002-01-23 20:37:00 UTC
Subject: Re: enlarged spleen
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Angie George <ferretladie@y...> wrote:
>
>
> Is there any kind of bloodwork to test for cancer in a ferret???
Hi Angie,
It depends on what you mean by cancer? Typically, you wouldn't test
a ferret unless there are symptoms that are making you think about
cancer. Sadly, some forms of cancer are just too fast and too
aggressive to be caught until the ferret passes away - even by the
most diligent vet and/or owner.
But, there are several forms of cancer or tumors or growths that, if
symptoms are present, can be tested for.
First, it is recommended that ferrets have full blood workups done on
their 3rd birthday and on their 4th birthday and then every 6 months
following that. This will help to detect any problems and also set a
baseline for how your ferret's health is. Some of the more common
forms of these growths are the following -
Insulinoma (tumors/growths on pancreas):
Possible symptoms: If your ferret is having "episodes" of staring
into space, drooling, pale gums or paw pads, hind end weakness and
losing balance. You can have your vet do a fasting glucose on the
ferret. You'll want to take food away from the little one about 4
hours prior to the test. I believe that the lowest normal range for
this would be an 80. If it comes back low, depending on the severity
of symptoms, your vet can determine if surgery should be done right
away or if If it comes back low, retest 1-2 weeks later.
Adrenal disease (tumors/growths on adrenal glands):
Possible symptoms: fur loss, most commonly on the tops of the back
feet, over the shoulder blades, on the base of their tails. Swollen
vulva in a female or straining to urinate in a male. Also, males may
also mount other ferrets or objects (mine prefered the side of the
litterpan).
If you suspect adrenal disease, you can have your vet draw blood and
send it to the University of Tennessee for the University of
Tennessee panel. This is not 100% accurate, but if levels come back
raised, it's adrenal disease. If not, it still could be. Typically,
diagnosis can be made on symptoms alone.
Lymphoma (Cancer of the lymph nodes)
This is the most difficult to catch or diagnos and often is the cause
of sudden deaths that after necropsy are found to be cancer.
Possible symptoms: Swelling of lymph nodes. There are some lymph
nodes that you can feel in a ferret - one on each side of the neck,
one in each arm pit, and one on the top back of each leg. Sometimes,
if these feel enlarged, it could be fat pockets that formed over the
lymph nodes. This is nothing to worry about. Diagnosis would be
made by your vet doing a aspiration of the lymph node and sending it
off to pathology.
For all of these "cancers", there are medical treatments to alleviate
the symptoms, but rarely do they stop the progression of the cancer.
With the exception of lymphoma, surgery has been found to be the best
cure.
I'm not a vet but I have had my share of experiences with these
ailments. I know that there are more and possibly doing a search on
the archive section of this group can help explain more problems to
you. I just thought I'd share a simple explaination of the more
common problems.
I hope that your crew stay healthy and happy! It's always good to
know the most you can!
Lisa Shortley