From:
"Liz Lucas"
Date: 2003-12-04 13:43:22 UTC
Subject: Question about Adrenal tumor invading liver
To: "Ferret Health List" <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <000801c3ba6c$9714c160$4d1f3ccc@THELUCASFAMILY>
Hello,
This is my first post and my first ferret needing surgery, and I have s=
earched the archives for some answers to questions, but I still have a few =
that I hope some list members can help me with.
My 4 yr old ferret, Sheila, made it through a bilateral adrenalectomy y=
esterday. He was able to remove both adrenal glands, but the right tumor w=
as invading her liver. He scraped as much of the tumor as he could from th=
e liver. Biopsies were sent out, so I will know in a couple weeks whether =
they are malignant or benign. =
My questions are:
Is there any indication that adrenal tumors are malignant if they invade ot=
her organs?
If the right tumor is benign, what can I expect next? (further growth?, pr=
oblems with her liver?, prognosis?)
If it is malignant, what can I expect next?
What will she need for further medication, since she has no adrenal glands?=
My vet said that in his practice only about 1 in 20 ferrets experience sh=
ock after removing both glands (he gave her a "steroid" shot after the surg=
ery and she will have one before she comes home this afternoon). He also s=
aid that they rarely they require medication for the rest of their life. ??=
Thank you in advance for your advice and comments.
~Liz