From:
Debbie Utter
Date: 2002-05-07 19:24:00 UTC
Subject: Lump on Head; need vet referral and/or confirmation of
treatment
I have a 5yo female that developed a bump on her head about
three months ago. I felt, more than saw, the bump at that
time. Two weeks later, I brought it to the attention of the
vet when the ferrets were in for distemper shots. He had no
clue at that time what it was, but said to let him know if
there was a change. He did feel it all over and said that it
was hard, but not bone hard, and seemed a little
moveable...not particularly adhered to the bone. About six
weeks later, I took the ferrets back for rabies shots, and in
that six-week period, the bump had about doubled in size. I
had read alot on this list about mast cell tumors and
mentioned that possibility to the vet, but he didn't seem to
think that's what it was. Any idea what this lump could be?
It's completely hair covered, and doesn't seem to bother her,
even when it's touched or palpated.
The vet has scheduled Phoebe to go in on the 15th for an x-ray
etc to see if we can find out what this is. Here is the
write-up for her chart:
"....No significant abnormalities were found except mass on
back of neck/cranial neck has probably doubled since last
visit and is very hard. Marked splenic enlargement as well.
Recommend radiograph of mass +/- biopsy. Recommend CBC,
radiographs of mass and probable biopsy of mass on Phoebe."
I did ask for a breakdown of the charges for the next visit so
I could be prepared...
Anesthesia $51.50
Radiograph $55
Biopsy $75
Histopath $77
CBC $26.50
+/- PAC (pre-anesthesia something) $21
This comes to $306 just to take a piece of this lump. If
surgery is recommended once the vet reviews the x-ray,
histopath and bloodwork (which it likely will), that's an
additional $100-$200, plus anesthesia etc for the surgery.
Are all of these procedures necessary? I had hoped he could
take the mass out entirely right from the start, rather than
just taking a biopsy, but is there a risk in doing so without
knowing exactly what the mass is? Is it really necessary to
have the CBC done? The biopsy? Xray? Why not just remove the
mass while Phoebe's under, and THEN send a piece of it off for
histopath? If each test is routine, I'll accept that...just
want to be sure he's not having more done so he'll be better
informed before going in (since he doesn't know what this is,
I'm assuming he hasn't worked with one before).
Please understand that I have no problem having this mass
removed or paying $300 to do so...I just question if every
test is necessary. Perhaps the vet is having a full plate of
tests run so he has all the information at his fingertips
possible since he has no idea what this lump is. Hopefully,
if it comes to complete surgical removal of the mass at a
later date, the vet has experience in that, and won't end up
referring me elsewhere. If that's the case, I'd rather just
take Phoebe to a vet who's experienced with these things and
can take care of it at the first visit. I should mention that
Phoebe is also starting to show some hair loss near the base
of her tail, so she could be adrenal, as well. My vet does
not do adrenal surgeries and refers them to Cornell (VERY
costly...we're talking $800-$1200). I have another ferret
with advanced adrenal and he also needs surgery, so if anyone
can recommend a vet who can do both adrenal surgeries and the
mass, I'll just take them both there and cancel Phoebe's
appointment for the 15th. I am willing to travel two or three
hours, and plan on an overnight hotel stay. I have read where
folks have had adrenal surgeries done for $250-$350...I could
get both adrenal surgeries done, and probably the mass
removed, too, for about the cost to have one ferret taken to
Cornell.
If anyone can tell me if all the tests are necessary and/or
can recommend a good vet with experience in these lumps and
adrenal surgeries, please let me know. I live in New Berlin,
NY--roughly 1.5 hrs from Albany and 2 hrs from Syracuse--but I
am willing to travel to Buffalo, Rochester...you name it...for
the right vet.