From:
Date: Fri, 7 Nov 2003 08:59:20 -0800 (PST)
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Cc: <sbougher2@msn.com>
Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] Swollen area on right side of tummy-What is it?
Message-ID: <18856.155.226.255.42.1068224360.squirrel@www.mizuhoradio.com>
> Is it rare for such a young ferret to
> have cancer? (He will be three in a couple of weeks.)
First off, the word "cancer" is thrown around the ferret community very
casually. Many growths aren't carcinomas.
I hate to say it, but three isn't all that young for a carcinoma. Pertwee
had an adrenal carcinoma when he was one and another shortly thereafter.
Ryo-Ohki had an adrenal carcinoma at two, a second at three, and metastasis
that killed her by three and a half. From what I've heard from many other
ferret owners, it's all too common, especially with adrenal carcinomas.
The good news is that even if it is a carcinoma it may be operable and your
ferret may live for many years to come. Pertwee lived for another four
years. Nyssa, now five and a half, has gone two years since pathology on
her left adrenal gland showed a carcinoma. She's fine and has had no other
health problems.
The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet, just a moderately experienced
ferret owner.
Send comments to Pam at pjdutche@email.unc.edu.
Please note that this
address is only
useful for questions about the FHL archive. Questions about ferret health, or those intended for the FHL, should be sent to the Ferret Health List.