From:
"Diane Wall"
Date: 2004-08-27 18:48:29 UTC
Subject: RE: Round Cell Tumor Removal Ferret Update
To: "Ferret Digest" <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <!~!UENERkVCMDkAAQACAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABgAAAAAAAAAS+0b9wJ+T0an1kr7NkkWw8KAAAAQAAAAsoTgQRiX10mHiucxqKV57AEAAAAA@harbormortgage.com>
Thank you everyone for responding so quickly. I was armed with questions
and suggestions when I met with Dr. XXXX this afternoon (she is the vet
that performed the surgery and specializes in treating ferrets). We
believe that is bandage slipped down a bit overnight which limited the
circulation to his foot. The round cell tumor on his left front ankle
and towards the outside was removed and was about the size your thumb
nail. (Considered to be on the larger side for a medium size sable
ferret weighing around 2.5 pounds.) According to the medical records I
obtained from his previous owners, he had it for almost two years. His
foot at least three times of normal size and resembles a cabbage patch
doll foot. It is warm (not hot, not cold) and pinkish in color (not red,
not purple or black). The incision is clean and there appears to be no
infection. He is eating his ferret soup with gusto and eliminating in
his usual normal manner. I have removed all fuzzy type bedding from his
cage and replaced it with wonderfully handmade cotton sleepy sacks and
blankies (thank you to Diddy Wheeler and Rose German) in order to keep
his surgical site clean and provide extra cushioning for him to get to
and from the littler pan. (Which I removed the litter and replaced with
a no front tray lined with clean white paper towels). I was so glad that
I insisted on bringing him back twice to have him looked over and didn't
care about being an overprotective Ferret Mom. I hate to think what
could have happened if I didn't follow my instincts that something just
wasn't right. I wasn't so concerned that I may have seemed pushy or
impolite, or like I was doubting and questioning the initial treatment
instructions that I was given. It always pays to get things recheck and
re-looked at and/or get a second or third opinion. Now we just have to
wait and see if the swelling goes down by itself. For now he likes the
warm compresses (thank you Phyllis Spy and Sue Liszewski) and I am
checking on the buffered aspirin compound which was prescribed to see if
the Arnica Montana is available (thank you Alicia at Ferret Wise). It
goes without saying (but I will) how much it means to me (and Raisin)
that everyone helped and was concerned. You all not only helped with
comforting suggestions for him, but comforted a very worried ferret mom.
If the Ferret Angel who asks if we know of a little ferret who needs
extra prayers is listening, please think of my Raisin and little Pixie
(who is also struggling to add on the ounces after nearly starving, and
has other medical issues to challenge her as well). Kiss all your
ferrets today and remember how dear they are to you. Diane Wall