From:
ferretfriendsofpgh
Date: 2002-06-10 19:28:00 UTC
Subject: Hind Leg Paralysis - need help!
Hello,
Today I came home to find my four year old Belle dragging her hind
legs. At first I thought she had broken her leg as it was swollen
(slightly) and didn't seem to want to move like the other one. Belle
didn't seem to be in any discomfort and was dragging herself around
the room as if nothing was wrong. I of course, knew differently!
I called one of the ferret knowledgeable clinics in the area and got
an appointment luckily. She was seen and had two full body x-rays
done.
The vet told me two things:
1. Possible blood clot that is affecting her spinal functions,
causing the hind leg paralysis.
2. The x-rays show a large mass in the center of Belle. The vet
couldn't identify it as an organ, so we assume it is a tumor pressing
on her spine.
The vet did make sure that her heart was okay, and all the other
organs looked okay, except that they are in "odd" places. She said
that the kidneys were pushed up and the colon was intertwined with
the intestines, not straight.
She basically gave me a death sentence for my ferret, offering no
treatment options except for steroids (an injection of Dex and a
prescription for Pred). She mentioned exploratory surgery to see
what the mass was but didn't feel it was necessary as she is sure my
baby is going to die within a few days. She also said that if the
steroids showed no improvement within 72 hours that she would be
paralyzed forever.
Please help!! I am going to get her a second opinion with another
knowlegable vet and have the mass biopsied to confirm or deny Lympho.
Any other thoughts or suggestions?
Thanks in advance,
Chris