From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2003-10-03 17:27:16 UTC
Subject: RE: Tiredness Old age or illness
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <8140080.1065202036705.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Jen, what blood tests were done, and was the chest x-rayed also? (I suspect that the chest was x-rays since the vet checked to seeif the weight gain was fluid.) If the chest was not x-rayed it would not be a bad idea.
A few things speak to me more strongly, though, and this is as a non-vet with 21 years with ferrets. It could be plain old over-weight which can have a spiralling effect, but like you I'd want to be sure of that first. An ultrasound of chest and abdomen may not be a bad idea at this age just in case there is something harder to spot which shows up. I'm more inclined at this point to wonder ing about possible adrenal neoplasia sicne there is the abdominal fat deposition and the increased grooming -- both of which are consistent with that. My personal inclination would be to consider having a Tennesse Panel run on Taz if he were one of our ferrets ulness other adrenal symtoms are present (at which point we'd start pre-surgical testing to see if he is surgical candidate) because the other blood tests, x-rays, and often ultrasounds are about useless for finding those.
I'm half asleep today so I hope that what I said makes enough sense, but I know that others here will spot it if not and pipe up and that is welcome.
Oh,the blood tests: was a CBC WITH CHEMISTRY PANEL done? Has his bloodsugar been looked at? Was blood sent for a TN Panel?
It always pays to remember that even with 6 month old-age check-ups things can start up between those exams as Ashling reminded us in amjor fashion last night, so with elders it is especially important to remember that what is short time in our lifespans is a large one in their's.