Message Number: YG12740 | New FHL Archives Search
From: fantasticferret
Date: 2002-04-25 05:59:00 UTC
Subject: kidney infection or lymphoma?

I am concerned about my 6 and a half year old ferret, Phoebe. She
had blood in her urine yesterday morning, and I took her to the vet.
He said that she had adrenal problems, but she also had an enlarged
kidney, which was probably the cause of the bleeding. He thinks the
kidney might possibly have an infection, but from the size he thinks
it's more likely lymphoma. The vet didn't want to try a biopsy right
away because it's too invasive, so I am giving her antibiotics for 10
days. If her kidney doesn't show any improvement, the vet will then
give her prednisone to help shrink her kidney to make her more
comfortable. He won't treat the adrenal problem if she has something
as serious as lymphoma. She hasn't had any change in behavior at
all, and she doesn't seem to be in any pain. After the first dose of
antibiotics, her urine was no longer bloody, but that might just be a
coincidence. I want to be optimistic that it's just a kidney
infection, but I'm very afraid that Phoebe is going to die. I was
just wondering if anyone has had a similar problem, and what the
result was. I don't know if I can stand to wait 10 days to find out
how serious her illness is. Thanks.