From:
wilkeskg@yahoo.com
Date: 2003-07-01 22:23:38 UTC
Subject: 1 year old "Snert"
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <13419912.1057104685437.JavaMail.nobody@magnesium.smartgroups.com>
The vet I visited first was the only ferret-accepting vet open on Sat, so I took
him to a 2nd vet (Jun 17) who recommended a 3rd vet (Jun 30). 2nd vet did a
CBC and X-ray and I included his report at the end of this e-mail.
Vets 2 and 3 exchanged records and both are perplexed, and have pretty grim
prognosis for Snert. Snert has a bony proliferation in the 4th thoraxic
vertebrate and his physical condition is quite weak. Vet 3 said a biopsy is
risky. His guess for diagnosis was either (1)osteosarcoma, (2)osteomyelitis,
bacterial or fungal, or (3) a congential defect.
Biopsy for a "certain diagnosis" is quite tricky so Vet 3 is reluctant to operate
and recommends maybe contacting a certified surgeon at U of Tenn or
someone in Raleigh. (I am in Asheville, NC) When I asked about risks vs. cost,
Vet 3 said it would still be quite risky and the cost around $2,000 and it was
possible that what they would find is something very grave.
He put Snert on SMZ-TMP Pediatric Suspension 0.77CC twice/day. Because it
was the safest attempt at treating an uncertain diagnosis. Prednisone would
cause problems if it is infection, Vet 3 says. So I made a choice to see what
happens with the antibiotic. Snert took it last night and today- he is the same
as before the visit.
My questions are:
1) Is there any method you know of to get a more certain diagnosis which is
not so risky and costly? Sometimes research facilities have more advanced
tools so maybe this is something that could be done safely?
2)If there are no safe and reasonable ways to diagnose for sure- and you were
in a position to take a guess based on the data so far...what would your
opinion be?
3) I do not want Snert to be in pain. Right now he sleeps lots, will eat hand fed
baby food mixture (recommended on your site, I add 1 oz water to help
hydration) readily, enjoys being held and can walk around but stumbles a bit
on back legs. He is eager, but too weak to explore and play. I realize there is
a possibility I will have to have him put to sleep. Of course, I want to avoid this
totally or at least as long as possible, but not at the expense of waiting so long
that he is in pain. Is there any way to tell when this time is near? How long
could he have pain-free based on his current condition?
I am including the lab data and vet data from vet #2 visit to , if needed I can
send results from Vet 3 after tomorrow. Vet 3 looked at vet 2 data and did
urine sugar test (normal), barium GI test (normal), fecal exam, internal
parasite-negative.
Thank you again for any help you may be able to provide.
Kim Wilkes
Complete blood count:
Test Results Reference range
Hemoglobin 18.5 (HIGH) 13-18
Hematocrit 55.4 (HIGH) 43-55
WBC 8.3 (HIGH) 2.5-8.0
RBC 11.10 (HIGH) 6.5-11
MCV 50 46-65
MCH 16.7 15.5-19
MCHC 33.4 29-36
Platelet count 10 (LOW) 300-700
Platelet clumps are detected in this sample. Platelet clumping prevents precise
determination of a count and falsely decreases platelet number. The repoorted
count reflects the estimated contribution of the platelet clumps.
Platelet Estimate Decreased
Differential Absolute %
Neutrophils 1328 16
Bands 0 0
Lymphocytes 6391 77
Monocytes 166 2
Eosinophils 332 4
Basophils 83 1
Mammalian Comprehensive Chemistries
Test Results Reference range
Glucose 105 80-120
Urea Nitrogen 28 10-33
Creatinine 0.6 0.2-0.8
Total protein 6.3 5.5-7.6
Albumin 3.4 2.4-4.5
Total bilirubin 0.1 0.0-1.0
Alkaline phosphatase 236 (HIGH) 15-45
ALT(SGPT) 88 10-280
AST(SGOT) 47(LOW) 50-280
Cholesterol 139 60-300
Calcium 8.4 7.7-11.0
Phosphorous 6 4.2-8.5
Sodium 149 140-160
Potassium 4.9 4.3-5.8
Chloride 115(HIGH) 90-110
Globulin 2.9 2.9-4.9
CPK 136
Insulin 5.1 5-20
Ratio 7
XX XX Veterinary report on 6/17/03
Male neutered 1 year old ferret. 1270g, Temp=102.3 Blood glucose 81.
Only feeding by hand (chicken baby food, soften kibble and water). Lethargic
for 2 weeks. Weak in rear but not down. Chest (can't read this part) OK. X-ray
bony proliferation in 4th thoraxic vetebrate. Chest and abdomen look OK.
Fecal- large #'s of rods, float negative.
Albon 15cc. Give 1/2cc daily for 10 days.
Tx: SQLRS 30cc Albon, nutrical
A: RO include osteosarcoma, viral infection, chronic intestinal imbalance-
colitis.
6/20/03 addition to report:
Called owner. Ferret somewhat stronger not 100%. Offered referral to UT for
ultrasound.
6/30/03 faxed records to XX XX