From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2004-01-09 03:01:47 UTC
Subject: Unilateral polycystic disease -- another case
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com, scruffyou@ec.rr.com
Message-Id: <20040108220147.16d4e934@nyssa>
Hi,
A little over three and a half years ago our ferret Pertwee, then a two year old male, had a nephrectomy after our vet found his kidney was a hard mass. The pathology showed polycystic disease. At the time polycystic disease in young ferrets was thought to always be bilateral and always be fatal. I believe one or two other cases have been reported here on FHL. It appears we have one more.
Karen Douglas' ferret Blaze had surgery with our vet today. His left adrenal gland was removed (he's now bilateral) as was one kidney which appears to be polycystic. The other kidney looked fine to our vet. The kidney, adrenal gland, and biopsies from some lymph nodes were sent off for pathology.
If the pathology confirms the diagnosis this will be the second case of unilateral polycystic disease our vet has seen. For reference this vet sees a whole lot of ferrets, as in six today, his second surgery day of the week.
I am wondering if this diagnosis may prove to be somewhat less rare than first thought. Comments? Ideas? I'd be curious to hear what others think.
Oh, our vet feels surgery went well and was quite upbeat about Blaze's chances for recovery. Keith and I will give post-op care since Karen lives a very long way from the vet and the emergency clinic. Once we're sure his electrolytes are in balance he'll go home.
All the best,
Caity