From:
robnrust@myplace.net.au
Date: 2004-07-13 14:55:35 UTC
Subject: Our sick Ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <8207786.1089730535093.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Well, Georgie went to the vet today and had some blood taken and the history. The vet palpatated her tummy and found a growth the size of an almond inside of her.
Georgie, who is nearly 8 years old, only weighs about half of what she did when she was healthy. (Down to 400 grams from around 900.) Her symptoms are : massive weight loss, a growth within, lethargy, difficulty walking, sleeping lots - like 23 hours a day, and eating little, drinking much.
The vet was surprised that the blood came back with a glucose reading of 3.4, which in Australia I think they measure in millimols per litre. She had been fasted (which I know is not really a good thing if it is Insulinoma). This is considered by the vet to be well within healthy limits. She is not ruling out Insulinoma, but feels that it may also be Lymphoma. However, she feels the symptoms are Insulinoma, rather than the other.
Since getting home and having her first dose of Pred (1mg of a 5mg tab - such fun carving them up), she's a different girl. Into the food and a lot more cheery. I can't believe it's the drug - she only had one dose! I just hope that the improvement lasts and the tumour decreases.
She's on a changed diet from red meat to 'duck soup'. She was also introduced to baby food early this morning and loved it. She also loved the chicken!! She probably ate more tonight that what she had done for weeks (I found food stashes). She is also being hand fed most of the time, which she loves - she's always been so sociable.
Anybody got any ideas what it is?
Thanks
Robyn