From:
"Selina Hedgehog"
Date: 2004-06-18 13:50:10 UTC
Subject: Help With Teddy Please!!!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <22700073.1087574612859.JavaMail.nobody@strontium.smartgroups.com>
Last fall we took in two ferrets, ages unknown, one male we
named "Teddy" and a female we named "Lilly". These ferrets were
abandoned...left in a appartment complex for weeks before both were
found near death without food or water. They were hospitalized for
months by our vet who brought them back to life...and then asked us
to take them in. We've had them for 8 months now.
We need help with Teddy, you see he never was a really playful
character since we got him...he is a cuddle butt. Since December
he's been steadily loosing weight and slowing down. Two days ago,
he had severe loose stools. We took him to the vet for a check up
today. After examining him...our vet took several x-rays. Our vet
is sure they show "isulinoma"(I think he said)....he showed us the x-
rays and pointed to a mass near or on the kidney that had nodules
and was quite big in size. He said he didn't recommend surgery due
to Teddy's age...but if we wished ...he would do an exploratory
surgery to see how bad things were.
We have no idea of Teddy's age...but by looking at his teeth, he is
very elderly....and he acts like a old man! A very old man! This
ferret is my 18 year old daughters....she has three others and is a
animal lover. She herself is trying to become a vet which is off
topic.
We are trying to decide what would be best for Teddy here....we
really know nothing about any of this....would surgery be the best
option or is that out considering how old he may be? Are there
alternative therapies we may be able to give him to help him through
this?
Teddy seems happy, he eats, drinks...eliminates just fine, no hair
loss normally associated with this...he acts normal except he is
loosing weight and sleepy...he loves to cuddle...give kisses...he
just doesn't play much...he is old we are sure...
Any help you may offer would be so very appreciated....we LOVE TEDDY
SO VERY MUCH!
Thank you,
Kathy and Kristen...and Teddy