From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2006-06-02 21:01:53 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: Juvenile Lymphoma
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Check the chest to give a better idea if it may be JL by looking for thymic=
enlargement, and read
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/PDF/Lymphoma_Ferrets.pdf
This quote of Dr. Williams should help
START QUOTE
A second form, lymphoblastic lymphoma (also =
called the juvenile form) usually affects ferrets =
less than two years of age. In this variant, =
myriads of immature (blastic) cells infiltrate =
visceral organs in large numbers, while the =
lymph nodes remain unaffected until the latest =
stages of disease. Infiltration by neoplastic cells =
results in enlargement of major organs and the =
most commonly affected organs are the liver, =
spleen and thymus. In most cases, thymic =
enlargement rapidly becomes a life-threatening =
issue, as the thymus occupies the thoracic cavity, =
a space enclosed by the unforgiving cage of the =
ribs. As the neoplastic cells expand the thymus =
(as seen in Figure 2), the thymus compresses the =
adjacent lungs, making it difficult, and =
eventually impossible, for the animal to breathe. =
In juvenile lymphoma, labored breathing is often =
the first clinical sign noticed by the owner, and =
this form=92s early compromise of pulmonary =
function is the reason that it carries the shortest =
survival time of all variants (only 2 weeks after
cardiomyopathy. =
END QUOTE
Ferret normal temps are 101 to 102, sometimes 103 if agitated.
You can find some basic number for ferrets in
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/physiology.htm
In DIM the appetite is usually not negatively affected, or may be just at t=
he beginning. usually those ferrets have trouble eating, but if helped wil=
l eat enough. The WBC count can go much higher with this disease than is s=
eem with the forms of lymphoma.
When a young ferret won't eat and is lethargic a blockage much always be co=
nsidered. Some are partial or shifting in position, and blockages in ferre=
ts often to not show up on x-rays though at time gas building up will show.=
I know of no survivors of JL but do know of one years ago who received chem=
o who at first appeared to be in remission. Sadly, it had reached the spin=
al cord, though, so after improvement things got worse. It may be possible=
that chemo might work if done early enough, but JL is usually pretty well =
advanced by the time it is found and it grows rapidly so *if* the possibili=
ty exists there is still the problem that getting the timing right is not l=
ikely. =
=
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