From:
ubkarate72@comcast.net
Date: 2003-07-19 16:23:55 UTC
Subject: Has anyone seen this cancer before?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7608521.1058631835476.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
The week of June 13 my ferret Samantha quit eating and became lethargic. I rushed her to the Vets and he did emergency surgery to remove a large mass. (Note: She had been to the vets within the previous three months and there was no mass so it grew fairly fast). The mass had split open and she was bleeding internally. The entire mass was removed (it was attached to the liver). He could not see any visible signs of further metastasis. The mass was biopsied and the diagnoses was BILE DUCT ADENOCARCINOMA.
The last few days Samantha started to slow down again but was eating and drinking fine. I was going to take her to the Vet for a checkup. Last night she quit eating, her stool is a greenish black and she does not want to be bothered. Due to it being Saturday, I can't get her to the Vets until Monday. It seems all of my ferrets have behaved this way just before they passed and I terrified I am losing her. We knew that this cancer may have spreed and I can only find references to it in humans and it is sure death in humans.
I'm going to start her on Pepsid A/C if it is her stomach. She has always been able to tolerate it. I also have Pedialyte and Gerber's stage 2 chicken and gravy. She hates all foods except her kibble. She is very difficult that way.
Please, if anyone has had any experience with this cancer or any advice, please help. I don't want her to suffer if I can't save her but will do anything to help her and give her quality of life. Samantha will be 8 yrs old at the end of September.
Thanks,
Angie and Samantha