From:
NCFerretMom@yahoo.com
Date: 2003-02-07 00:43:09 UTC
Subject: Liver disease - need advise, please, vets
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
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 :)
=