From:
ELNRRGBY1@aol.com
Date: 2005-08-31 10:07:14 UTC
Subject: Fever of unknown origin with cough
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <74.5b1a7f6d.3046db52@aol.com>
Hello all,
We have a patient at the clinic where I work, a 5-year-old spayed female,
who has a low-grade fever of unknown origin along with a cough and generalized
lethargy for approximately one week. Appetite is still good, stools are
normal, urine output is normal, but she is sleeping more and just not herself
per the owner's report. She was initially started on Clavamox Drops, but
after 4 days of this there has been no improvement and her temp is still hovering
at around 104.9 with a persistent cough. Blood work is currently pending,
but x-rays (both V/D and lateral) are highly suspicious for enlarged lymph
nodes and/or possibly an enlarged thymus in the mediastinum along with some
apparent deviation of the trachea (Final radiology report is still pending -- I
can probably get .jpegs of the films to post online if it would be beneficial
as well as the lab report once available - probably on Thursday). There is
also hepatosplenomegaly present on x-ray, although no clearly visible
abdominal lymphadenopathy or other abdominal mass effect noted. Heart looks normal
size on x-ray. No palpably enlarged superficial lymph nodes on exam, and
rest of physical exam is normal with exception of only very mild fur loss on
back feet and perhaps a very slight thinning on shoulders (so slight that it's
barely noticeable unless specifically looking for early signs of fur loss),
and some mild breathing difficulty especially when stressed. The owner did
note some of this increased breathing difficulty when sleeping recently as well
I believe and also noted increased difficulty with simple things like
climbing into a hammock. A heart tracing (PAM ECG screening unit) over several
minutes showed no arrhythmia, but full ECG was not performed at this time.
Pretty much, at this point, our number one guess on this little one right
now is leaning towards lymphoma, but of course without biopsy we can't know for
sure. I just can't really think of much else that fits and neither can our
vet, but neither of us are experts by any stretch of the imagination. So,
after talking with the owner at length, she gave me permission to post here to
see if anyone else had any additional thoughts/ideas that might be
beneficial.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Stacia