From:
<caitlyn@mizuhoradio.com>
Date: 2003-12-02 21:25:51 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: I think Adrenal is coming back ...
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Cc: <linsto@hotmail.com>
Message-ID: <14237.155.226.255.42.1070400351.squirrel@www.mizuhoradio.com>
Hi, Linda,
>
> I've read : "Sometimes right gland adrenal can be determinated to be
> too much of surgery risk to even try"...
Relax. Our vet has been doing right adrenal surgeries for YEARS. He has a
great success rate. He does conventional surgery, ligating the vena cava.
Others do cryosurgery for right glands with good results.
*IF* Cookie has adrenal again (and you aren't sure yet, are you?) a good vet
can take out the otehr gland.
>
> Lupron will be the solution for Cookie.
> And if Lupron doesn't work ... Is there another way to control the
> disease or it only means that's a malignant tumor and there is nothing
> we can do ???
<Taking deep breath> Efficacy of lupron is not an indication of malignancy
from everything I've read and from long discussions with our vet. We've
been through six adrenal surgeries with our ferrets over the past six years.
From everything I've been told you can't tell if a tumor is malignant or
benign until it's out and pathology is done, period.
Even if the tumor is malignant that doesn't necessarily mean a poor
prognosis. Nyssa had an adrenal carcinoma (malignancy). Her left adrenal
gland was removed and she's had no problems in the two years since. Pertwee
had carcinomas in BOTH glands. He lived on for three years and four months
with no further related problems. He was my most energetic and insane
ferret all that time. His hepatic cell carcinoma (liver cancer) was
completely unrelated and was YEARS later.
> Can it be better to try Lupron before surgery
Our vet doesn't believe in it.
>... if it doesn't work,
> we'll know it's malignant without surgery procedure ...
No, you won't. Sorry, but if you want to know I'll repeat Sukie's
suggestion: Tennessee Panel. It, too, may not be conclusive in all cases
but at least you'll have a good chance to know.
Take a deep breath. Relax. Really. Even a second tumor, even a
malignancy, doesn't mean Cookie can't be cured and have a happy, healthy,
long life with you. Like Sukie said, things usually work out. Really.
I am not a vet, just a ferret owner who has been where you are too many
times.
All the best,
Caity and the amazing eight