Message Number: YG13735 | New FHL Archives Search
From: dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2002-06-10 19:56:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Advice needed...thymoma

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "drlambson" <drlambson@y...> wrote:
> 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.

Unforaotnately, there;s very little informaton on thymomas - I've
seen one, and I think only one report has ever been published (with
only two cases reported.)

These tumors do not respond well to non-surgical interventions, such
as chemo or radiation. They are generally slow growing, so they
respond relatively well to surgery.

In a case of a 0-year-old ferret, you would have to look at the
overall health of the animal, as well as the possibility for a
significant increase in lifespan in the case of a successful surgery
(which is probably a long-shot at best.) I would have to agree
withthe majority in this case that such a procedure would probably
not be cost-effective for this older ferret.

With kindest regards,

Bruce Williams, dVM