From:
"carol owen"
Date: 2004-10-12 08:07:58 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Lymphoma?
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <000b01c4b032$97d887a0$f224ff3e@yourvsa8xygmg8>
> >From: mysticswords@yahoo.com
>
>I am reluctant to go ahead with chemo without a >definite diagnosis. I
don't want to sound like I'm >questioning her judgment, but are swollen
lymph nodes >enough to diagnose lympho? Would a fine needle >aspirate be
useful as a diagnostic tool?
I had a similar dilema a few months ago. My 5 year old appeared to have
some swelling of his lymph nodes. They weren't really hard like feeling a
pea (which is what I've read), but they definitely felt bigger than normal,
and slighty harder than my other ferrets.
The vet did two fine needle aspirates. The one taken from under his arm
indicated infection, but the one from behind his knee came back as lymphoma.
After much thought about treatment, I decided that I wasn't convinced with
just an aspirate, and asked the vet to do xrays (to see if anything showed
up in his organs) and I also asked for a biopsy of the lymph node from
behind his knee.
Nothing suspicious showed on the xrays. She tried to do a biopsy, but the
node was so tiny she couldn't find it. All she came across was fat.
So, I think there's a possibility that he was misdiagnosed even with a
needle aspirate.
He's on no treatment, but he's doing fine at the moment and all we can do is
keep a close eye on him.
I guess what I'm really saying is follow your intuition, and if you're not
happy to go with a treatment unless you have more evidence, then don't.
My vet didn't take offence at my questioning the diagnosis. She understood
how I felt about it, and I'm sure your vet will too.
Good luck to you and your little one
Carol