From:
Cathy.Pardue@vflic.com
Date: 2005-03-10 18:01:23 UTC
Subject: high bilirubin in 7YO DEW female
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5681159.1110477683646.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
7 year old DEW female, no health problems until past few weeks. Noticed one=
episode of hind end weakness approx 3 weeks ago, no subsequent symptoms, t=
ook to vet for BG one week later. BG was around 50, but still not exhibitin=
g any symptoms. Gradual weight loss over previous 1-2 years from 650g to 59=
6g. Vet wanted to do test for insulin level to confirm insulinoma due to la=
ck of symptoms, insulin levels came back low as well, but high bilirubin. S=
orry I do not have copy of blood work so cannot provide exact numbers. Vet =
then did complete blood panel and bile acid test. Blood panel showed nothin=
g eventful other than all liver values were high, did not get exact results=
regarding bile acids, but they seemed to confirm liver disfunction. Vet re=
commended ultrasound and liver aspirate. At this time, approx 1 week from i=
nitial vet visit for BG, urine started becoming dark and increase in thirst=
and urine output, stools appear normal, weight is still at 596g. Over next=
4 days waiting for appointment for ultrasound, lost appetite, very weak, w=
ould take a few bites of turkey baby food if strongly suggested but would w=
ant to run from it, stools small and light colored. Forced some food into h=
er until could get to the vet visit. Ultrasound showed swollen liver, possi=
bly enlarged left adrenal, possibly enlarged gall bladder. All other appear=
ed normal. Liver aspirate was undiagnostic. Weight had dropped in 4 to 5 da=
ys to 490g from 596g. Put her on actigall, amoxi and pepto, within 1 or 2 d=
ays she is back to her old self. We are going with this treatment for 2 wee=
ks to build strength and see if we can get some weight back on her. Vet now=
suggests liver biopsy, I don't want to open her up for biopsy and then may=
be have to go back in again. Friend who has very knowledgeable ferret vet d=
iscussed with her vet and he suggested possibly adrenal rather than undeter=
mined liver disease. My questions are: can adrenal cause high bilirubin and=
general liver disfunction, could problem with gall bladder rather than liv=
er cause high bilirubin and stress on liver (I looked up actigall and it ap=
pears to be used for gall stones), if biopsy is performed what are ranges o=
f possible diagnosis and associated treatments, would it be wise to remove =
part of liver if it appears diseased at the time of biopsy rather than open=
her up twice, no other symptoms of adrenal but would you take out the left=
adrenal while you're there? =
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