From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2005-05-03 00:06:12 UTC
Subject: Any alternatives to cortisols in treating late stage lymphoma?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5807702.1115079560633.JavaMail.nobody@vanadium.smartgroups.com>
Hi, everyone,
Summary of past posts: Nyssa is a seven year old
spayed female ferret who has had lymphoma for the past
five months. While a needle aspirate was inconclusive
any attempt to reduce her steroids (currently oral
prednisolone and injected depo medrol) causes her
lymph nodes to swell up quickly. We've been able to
keep her mostly comfortable (sometimes using a small
dose of oral torbugesic as a painkiller when needed)
and somewhat active so far.
Nyssa is now showing side effects from the two
steroids, both of which are cortisols. The depo
medrol replaced vetalog, also a cortisol. Her hair is
thin, her skin is thin, and she is now having
difficulty fighting off infection. We now have her on
amoxi drops for a gum infection near where she broke a
canine tooth a few months back. Our vet (#3 for
Nyssa) tried having us back down on the prednisolone
once we started the depo medrol and we had the same
results as before: swollen hard lymph nodes on her
neck within three days.
Has anyone used anything (a steroid or ???) other than
a cortisol to treat late stage lymphoma with any
success? At this point we are more interested in
palleative care (as in keeping Nyssa comfy) than in
any hope of extending her life.
I'd really appreciate any suggestions.
All the best,
Caity and the fantastic five