From:
russians_mom
Date: 2002-06-09 21:23:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Advice needed...thymoma
>
> My question here (for any DVMs/surgeons) is does anyone have
> experience with thymomas? More specifically thymomas in older
> ferrets, and what kind of risk factor is Sherlock's age? Are there
> any other options besides surgery? I've tried to research this as
> much as possible but have found little on the subject that's
helpful.
>
I understand that Sherlock is an "oldtimer" in ferret years, but I
would suggest that you have him tested for Aleutian disease. I know
that thymoma is not "usually" specified as a symptom of Aleutian
disease, but X. recently had to put her Y. to sleep due to
a very advanced state of the problems Sherlock has. One of the
necropsy findings was a greatly enlarged thymus (thymoma). Also,
although the following didn't show up on x-ray, each of Y's lungs
had only about a nickle size piece of healthy tissue left. Does
Sherlock cough at all? I would assume there are ferrets that have
had thymoma without being ADV positive, but for the sake of your
other ferrets (if you have any more), as well as for any that may
come in contact with Sherlock...please do have him tested. If he
does turn out to have Aleutian disease, it's best to just keep him as
comfortable as possible for the time he has left.
If you need more information about Aleutian disease, please visit
White Russian's ADV web site. The URL is below my name.
I'm so sorry that Sherlock has thymoma. It has to be so
uncomfortable for him.
Judy
http://www.geocities.com/russiansmom/
Judy
[Judy, I know that you probably had permission to say names but since you didn't send that along I decided to play safe and edit out names for privacy. Just a precaution. I know you and she will understand. -- Sukie]