From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2005-04-26 02:23:38 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] starting prednisone for lymphoma
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <13459339.1114483599762.JavaMail.nobody@vanadium.smartgroups.com>
Hi, everyone,
All three vets who have treated our ferrets as our
primary vet over the years start a ferret diagnosed
with lymphoma on prednisolone (pediapred) right away.
It isn't just symptomatic relief. It can slow the
progress of the disease. I wouldn't wait until
symptoms reappear. If your vet wants to start on pred
immediately I would go for it.
The main side effect you want to watch for is stomach
upset. Pred in that dosage can cause diarrhea and/or
ulcers in some ferrets. If that happens your vet will
likely reduce the pred dosage to determine the maximum
Ellie can tolerate.
Our vet in Ohio told me that the average life
expectancy for a ferret diagnosed with lymphoma is
three months. With aggressive treatment, always
starting with pred, he gave Lady Ayeka six good
months. Nyssa was diagnosed five months ago and is
still hanging in there despite a couple of bad
patches.
Good luck to you and to Ellie.
The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet nor do I
play one on TV. I've had a total of seven ferrets get
lymphoma, all later in life.
All the best,
Caity and the fearsome fivesome