From:
williamsb@comcast.net
Date: 2003-01-17 21:31:18 UTC
Subject: RE: Need advice, please... 6 yr old Mina with acute onset of anorexia and lethargy. Lymphoma ?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <13209738.1042839078521.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Dear Peter - let's not jump straight to lymphoma. The high white count is of concern, however, in this old an animal, it is not unusual to have a lymphocytosis without it being lymphoma.
I am primarily concerned about the possibilyt of a gastric ulcer here due to the recent stress, the anorexia, and a gastric ulcer will cause a leukocytosis, as the eroded gastric epithelium allows bacteria and toxins across untouched, which then cause fever and a high white count. The fact that she is not eating, and living on her fat stores is the reason for the high liver enzymes.
It is difficult to make very specific diagnoses here, but I would look at the GI tract first and foremost, and not jump to the conclusion of lymphoma here. As a general rule, if a peripheral node is not large, the necessity of aspiration or biopsy is not there - there's no lymphoma in that node. Aspirating a normal size node will yield no useful informaiton.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
Author wrote:
> > What is the best course of action for us to take ? I am contemplating having the vet do a biopsy of non-abdominal nodes to rule out lymphoma; would she benefit from a gastric biopsy to look at the possibility of Helicobacter infection ? Is there any other suggested work-up to account for her lab results, specifically, increased WBC and ALKP ?
> I would appreciate any suggestions. Thank you in advance,
> Peter Koziarz
> Hamilton, Ontario, Canada