From:
ferts@telusplanet.net
Date: 2005-10-05 22:33:22 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Milodisplastic Syndrome
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
I'm wondering if anyone might be able to provide more information this syndrome in ferrets.
History: Weasel and his cagemate Farrah were surrendered to us by the local Humane Society. When they were picked up it was noted that both ferrets were underweight, Weasel quite severly so. Thinking it was due to lack of care they were both placed under observation and started on duck soup.
After three days Farrah was responding well but Weasel continued to be lethargic.
Weasel was taken to the vet and blood was taken. It was also noted that his spleen was very enlarged and his gums were pale. The blood test revealed a very low red blood cell count.
The vet thought it might be caused by the spleen so surgery was scheduled and the spleen was removed.
Prior to surgery Weasel was put on Pediapred and a vitamin iron supplement (1 ml of each twice daily). After the surgery he seemed to be responding well and started putting on weight. We began reducing his pediapred.
After about 3 weeks he was down to .05ml twice a day. At about this time I noticed his energy levels dropping again. The vet suggested we could be dealing with bone marrow cancer. The vet increased the pediapred but Weasel continued to go down hill and soon would not even take the duck soup. The decision was made to help Weasel over the Bridge. At that time our vet asked if he could take some blood and a piece of bone to do a bone marrow test. We agreed.
The results of the testing showed that his red blood cell count was less than 5% (.049) and the bone marrow test showed that while there was hypercellularity (sp?) the cells were not forming. There was an abnormality of cell production in the bone marrow. Apparently this can be caused by a reaction to toxins or to medications. Unfortunetely we had no history on these ferrets so we didn't know if he could have gotten into anything and they didn't arrive with any medications.
The pathology has termed this as Milodsplastic Syndrome and our vet says its very rare and he's never heard of a case in ferrets.
I fostered this little guy and I so wanted to see him get better. During the period that he bounced back for a while he so enjoyed playing in the tube and stealing stuffed toys. I need to know if there was something we could have done for him.
Barb Hoult
Alberta Ferret Society
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