From:
kbreeden@cfl.rr.com
Date: 2004-03-14 21:44:30 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] does this sound like lymphoma (long post)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5516546.1079300670251.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Author wrote:
> Have you done radiographs? Vomiting & diarrhea could be
> partial blockage--like a hairball.
An X-ray was done, which showed thickening of the intestinal walls, but from what I've read on this site an X-ray wouldn't necessarily show a hairball.
> Have you tried him on a hypoallergenic diet? He could have a
> food sensitivity (chicken/corn are big culprits).
I've suggested this, the vet doesn't seem to think it will help, I planned to try it anyway, but just realized the Turkey babyfood I bought has cornstarch in it, so I need to find a different brand.
> Black "tarry" stools are a sign of upper GI bleeding, like a gastric
> ulcer. Which could develop secondary to another problem
> because of all the disruption antibiotics can cause to the flora of
> the GI tract.
He probably does have ulcers, so we have him on sucralfate. His stools alternate good and bad, the bad ones are dark, but not tarry (and not coffee grounds), more like dark mucuous, with granules of bird seedy stuff. The improved ones are still somewhat bird seedy, but formed and will only small amounts of normal colored mucous.
> I really don't think keeping Harley on antibiotics indefinitely is a
> wise move. if the amoxi isn't working, it isn't working. and you're
> killing off friendly bacteria as well as bad.
I agree he shouldn't stay on it indefinitely, but he does better on the amoxi than off, and he is on probiocin also, which is a good bacteria (like in yogurt).
> Has he had an intestinal or gastric biopsy?
No, Vet has only mentioned an exploratory, not specifically a biopsy, I assumed a biopsy would be done if we elected to do the exploratory, but the Vet doesn't think the exploratory is worth it. And she had said that if what she finds is really bad, she would not recommend reviving him. That is what I am struggling with, the toss up between catching something in an exploratory that we might be able to fix, or not reviving him if it is not fixable even though his quality of life right now is fair to good.
> Even if you think your vet is knowledgeable, try a 2nd opinion.
> also, if you and your vet have problems communicating, don't be
> afraid to ask for--even demand--clarification. if you're not
> understanding her, she may not be understanding you!
I am considering a second opinion, but I don't know any other ferret knowledgeable vets in this area, I'm considering calling one or two of the ones I found on sonic-weasel that are within a couple hours drive. Should I just go in cold or should I inform my current Vet and try to get Harley's x-ray and bloodwork sent to the second vet?
Thank you so much for your help and advice,
Kim