Message Number: SG3212 | New FHL Archives SearchFrom: NCFerretMom@yahoo.com
Date: Fri, 7 Feb 2003 00:43:09 +0000 (GMT+00:00)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Subject: Liver disease - need advise, please, vets
Message-ID: <20880893.1044578589349.JavaMail.root@scandium>
In Dec. I posted about Bubbles and received no reply. I really need some mo=
re input to help make a decision. My vet is a member of this list and I wou=
ld especially be interested in what other vets might have to offer. Thank y=
ou.
Bubbles is a retired breeder. Since I have had her she has always been pudg=
y. She does have a few genetic defects, including preauricular skin tags. S=
he cocks her head to one side as if she may have a unilateral hearing loss.=
Bubbles is now white, but I think she was a silver. Age is guesstimated at=
about 4 years. She also has a dead canine tooth.
The Saturday before Thanksgiving Bubbles seemed to be in pain. Monday she h=
ad an ultrasound. An ultrasound expert came in that day, so several vets ob=
served my Bubbles' belly.
The ultrasound showed liver disease in both lobes. At first the vet said th=
ey thought it was the same as Dodger has (hepatic cystadenocarcinoma). She =
said it would be impossible to remove it and leave enough liver for Bubbs t=
o live. Bubbles has been on longterm pred. No BUN or creatinine levels have=
been done.
At that time, I noticed a rectangular patch over the left carotid area that=
was bald - no breakage. The vessel beneath and the surrounding area appear=
ed to be swollen. Closer examination revealed numerous bald spots (no break=
age). She now has many bald patches, along the spine mostly. It is not an a=
drenal pattern. She has lost enough weight I would call her scrawny if she =
didn=92t have such a big belly.
Advice needed. Thanks for any insights you have.
renee :)
=
Send comments to Pam at pjdutche@email.unc.edu. Please note that this address is only useful for questions about the FHL archive. Questions about ferret health, or those intended for the FHL, should be sent to the Ferret Health List.