Message Number: YG10991 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Jen & Andre
Date: 2002-02-11 14:37:00 UTC
Subject: [Ferret-Health-list] Hyperadreno visible on rads?

As an update, Dobie had her ultrasound and it showed a mass
on her pancreas, an enlarged adrenal and what appeared to be
enlarged abdominal lymph nodes. There was a little ascites as
well that the doctor attributed to insulinoma. The doctor said
they were now considering insulinoma, adrenal, and lymphoma
and wanted to know where I wanted to go from there. They have
her on pred and dextrose iv but she is still really dopey and
hasn't eaten since yesterday.

I don't know what to tell them... where do you begin? If they
open her up to take out the pancreatic tumor, they can take
out the adrenal and biopsy the lymph node too... or would it
be better to start with a LN biopsy first... because if the
LNs are enlarged because metastatic islet cells have migrated
there removing the tumor would be pointless and if
alternatively it's lymphoma then we have to think of chemo...
As I mentioned, the vet working with Dobie has never touched a
ferret before.

The thing is, that they started her on pred, and if they want
to check her lymph nodes pred will mask lymphoma won't it? Is
it possible to check lymph nodes for islet cells?

I'd appreciate it if anyone could share some advice

Thanks
Jen
----- Original Message -----
From: Jen & Andre
To: Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2002 10:53 PM


We took our 7y/o female (Dobie) in to the vet tonight. She
showed sudden onset hind end weakness and lethargy (within
24 hours), and was having nonproductive vomiting fits
occasionally. Dobie was the first ferret the vet on call had
ever treated and there are no exotics specialists at the vet
school. When the Dr took Dob's temp some beige slime came
out of her rectum. It had the consistency of very thick
eggwhite. Before getting to the clinic, Dob's heart rate was
160 (went back to normal (280) in the clinic) and CRT was >2
secs. Skin pinch showed dehydration. MM's were pink, but
nose was pale. She has had a bald tail for most of her life,
but hair loss has not progressed past the base. BG was 3.2
(canadian values). Rads did not indicate a blockage
(although her belly feels bloated). vulva normal (I thought
about adrenal). The rads showed a mass touching the left
kidney. The fourth-year on a radiology rotation said he was
inclined to think the mass might be an enlarged adrenal, but
didn't think it would be seen on a rad and that it may just
as well be an intestine loop.

They gave her karo syrup and put her on a dextrose IV (I
believe she added dextrose to the ringer solution). The
doctor was leaning toward insulinoma based on the BG.

Can an enlarged adrenal be seen on a VD rad? She'll be
getting an US done probably tomorrow and since ferrets are
not commonly seen at the teaching hospital, is there any
advice any of you might be able to give me?

Thank you,
Jen


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