From:
wilkeskg@yahoo.com
Date: 2003-07-01 02:08:49 UTC
Subject: dense area on x-ray on spine at chest area
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <8088416.1057025329855.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I sure hope there is someone who may have some idea of what my ferret, "Snert" could have. I have been to three local vets. Today I went to the most reputable ferret vet in Asheville who thinks this x-ray is one of three things: 1) osteosarcoma, 2)osteomyelitis- bacterial or fungal, or 3)a congenital defect.
Symptoms - paralysis in back legs, licking/yawning lots, lethargy, eats only if hand fed- eats lots...getting alittle chubby, stool normal to loose.
* Blood tests-normal. One slightly elevated liver marker.
* X-rays show dense growth on spine. Vet is reasonably cautious of surgery/biopsy due to locaton.
* Fecal test OK. Slightly high count on rod shaped bacteria- coccideae? 2nd vet put him on Albon 10 days as precaution, and gave subcutaneous fluids. Snert "perked up" a couple of days, then declined to dragging hind legs yesterday, 6/29. Has difficult time getting in and out of litter box. Too weak to climb into hammock.
* Urine test - blood sugar OK. Blood sugar OK with fasting and and non-fasting tests.
* Barium test of GI- OK. No obstructions.
* ECG - OK, slight irregularity
The ferret-vet I took Snert to today seems to think his condition has something to do with the mass in his chest. Seems to make sense to me. The vet today put Snert on a different antibiotic called "SMZ-TMP Pediatric Susp". The vet says he really hasn't seen anything like this before and is very reluctant to do any sort of biopsy to figure out what the mass is so that he can know for sure how to treat it.
Univ of Tenn is a 3 hour drive away, but my vet tells me the surgery could cost $2000 and if it is cancer there is little to do except give Snert predizone, but that the risk of this surgery is high. So, I asked what happens if we just give him prednizone w/o biopsy...he said this could cause problems if it is an infection.
I am feeling pretty hopeless about the whole situation and really don't want to resign to the idea that the only option I have is to just watch his health deteriorate. I don't want him to reach the point where he is in pain. But, I don't want to give up too early especially when there is so much uncertainty among those I have taken him to see.
I appreciate any help anyone may have.