From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2003-02-08 03:16:27 UTC
Subject: RE: Liver disease - need advise, please, vets
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <18769756.1044674187067.JavaMail.root@scandium>
> Bubbles is a retired breeder. Since I have had her she has always been pudgy. She does have a few genetic defects, including preauricular skin tags. She 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 had an ultrasound. An ultrasound expert came in that day, so several vets observed my Bubbles' belly.
> The ultrasound showed liver disease in both lobes. At first the vet said they 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 to 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 appeared to be swollen. Closer examination revealed numerous bald spots (no breakage). She now has many bald patches, along the spine mostly. It is not an adrenal pattern. She has lost enough weight I would call her scrawny if she didn?t have such a big belly.
> Advice needed. Thanks for any insights you have.
> renee :)
>
>
Dear Renee:
A couple of things here, and they may be all tied togtehr. The long-term pred can cause a big belly, as well as a poor hair ocat. NOt to say that she doesn't have adrenal disease, though.
Another sign of long-term pred is liver disease, known as steroid hepatopathy. It can cause ultrasound changes (although it probably wouldn't look much like Dodger's biliary cystadenocarcinoma.
Surgical exploration is probably the best way to go in a 4-year-old ferret - in this fashion you can remove the adrenal gland, a well as visualize, and biopsy the liver as necessary.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
End of ferrethealth Digest
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