From:
"Ulrike"
Date: 2003-03-03 17:46:51 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Bloated Belly seen vet
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <001701c2e1ac$e5126e10$9810ff3e@Ferretlove1>
Hi Ve
I'm sorry about Foster... I've had 2 ferrets with severe ascites, both had
tumours of the pancreas (not insulinoma). Angel had a *huge* tummy, when
her autopsy was done, the vet found friable white(ish) tumours all inside
her body, every internal organ was affected, except for the heart and lungs.
The lab said that it originated from her pancreas. My Igor had a big tumour
on his pancreas and also a lot of fluid build-up. Angel was sick for 1 1/2
months before we had to have her put to sleep (looking back she should have
been put to sleep sooner...) and Igor was doing okay for 4 months. Both had
"blood stained fluid". Angel had fluid sent off to the lab but they didn't
find any cancer cells. Blood tests were done and also showed nothing wrong.
Igor was in a bit of pain straight after eating but about half an hour later
he would be okay, he found it hard to get around so would go into our
bedroom and lie on his back and play with toys that were dangling down from
door knobs. We had him put to sleep when he looked in pain, you could see
it in his eyes, he still ate his breakfast that day but looked depressed and
in pain. Angel must have been in horrendous pain and had stopped eating a
while before I finally had her put to sleep. She was the first ferret I
lost, she was *my baby*, so close to me, she was 3 years old and it didn't
occur to me that she could be dying. I didn't know then that they're so
susceptible to cancer... When the vet opened her, he said he couldn't
understand how she had still been alive... So I'll forever torture myself
for not stopping her pain and suffering sooner...
Ulrike
West Wales Ferret Welfare
E-mail: ulrike@ferretlove.co.uk
http://www.ferretlove.co.uk
Last update 26/09/02
My vet took 3cc's of fluid from one side of his belly and another 3cc's of
fluid from the other. The color was a orange/yellow, at first glance it
looked like urine. After looking at it on a slide he confirmed it was not
urine but a sticky substance (Fluid build up inside) and no cells were
found. My vet said until the blood work came back that nothing can be
confirmed. He said that Nathan's heart was healthy and judging the amount of
fluid building that it was questionable that the adrenal gland could be
producing this. He said the worst scenario is liver failure. Is there other
areas that could produce this amount of fluid. Tumors still an option?
will keep you posted on the blood tests...I am still hopeful although I
have never been through something like this and am at a loss to life span or
quality of life.