From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2005-08-05 20:23:28 UTC
Subject: Longevity with lymphoma (was RE: Adrenal again)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <8534260.1123274701447.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>
Hi, Sukie,
--- sukiec@optonline.net wrote:
> I think that we have had a
> higher rate of lymphoma than your ferret family
> (including two bouts of the clumping type that has
> an apparent viral precursor, also, you tend to get
> longer average lifespans than we do, I believe.
Our vet in Ohio told me that the average lifespan of a
ferret after diagnosis with lymphoma is three months.
We've had seven ferrets with lymphoma (a 50% rate).
Of those seven we had four (Ker Avon, Adric, Kodo, and
Podo) die within days or at most a couple of weeks
after diagnosis. We've had three (Tenchi, Lady Ayeka,
and Nyssa) who have lived longer. Nyssa is our first
to go beyond six months. She's still here and has,
remarkably, bounced back again in her ninth month
since diagnosis.
I should point out that my ferrets have all been
seniors when they have gotten lymphoma. Ker Avon was
the youngest at not quite six. Podo was almost 10
years old when he was diagnosed. None of mine were
considered good candidates for chemotherapy.
In North Carolina I know someone who had a ferret live
a year and a half after diagnosis without chemo.
I treasure every day we have with Nyssa, particularly
when she's been feeling as good as she has the last
few days. I even saw her wardance for the first time
in months.
All the best,
Caity and the fearsome fivesome