Message Number: SG15004 | New FHL Archives Search
From: leanneb36@wmconnect.com
Date: 2005-08-12 16:22:40 UTC
Subject: hemangioscarcoma in ferrets.
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4553311.1123863760208.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

My Cocoa just passed away from the rapid malignant form of cancer. It seems as though it's very uncommon in ferrets or at least is not diagnosed at much due to the fact that the cancer spreads rapidly and is not biopsed.
I wanted to share some of Cocoa's symptoms with the group so if anyone noted they might clue in. There is no cure but at least it may help someone.

Anemia
Sneezing with bloody noses (mainly the bloody nose is a clue)
Gums and mucose membranes are pale (actually due to the cancer)
Cocoa had non stop diarrhea
Enlarged spleen
Anorexia (Wasting away)
At times he would have trouble catching his breath sounding sort of like a dog panting.

This is actually a vein type cancer that is always malignant and spreads very rapidly to other organs. Mainly the heart and spleen. In Cocoa's case his spleen was not enlarged but spotted with cancers and his liver was 80% tumor with tiny nodules everywhere.

Just for your information..