From:
psessoms@gmail.com
Date: 2006-10-17 16:47:17 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: Please advise on swollen lymph nodes
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Lisa,
Swollen lymph nodes most definitely do not always mean lymphoma. Lymph nodes can swell up in response to infection, and also, they often become surround with fat and feel large but are actually normal. I suspect that your ferret's were not simply surrounded by fat because your vet did an aspirate and looked at it, and she would have told you if she just saw fat.
Was the aspirate sent out for examination by a pathologist? I had a scare with my ferret Harriet a few months ago; we did an abdominal ultrasound and all of her internal lymph nodes were enlarged. The board-certified radiologist did aspirates of a few and said she was pretty sure this was lymphoma, and my very experienced vet looked at them and really, really thought Harriet had lymphoma. But the pathologist's report disagreed and said the aspirate indicated reactivity/inflammation rather than lymphoma. We treated for Helicobacter, and she's been improved.
Sometimes with aspirates, the sample is just not clear enough for the pathologist to be sure, and they might send back the report saying that it's inconclusive, and suggesting a biopsy. Lymph node biopsies are not that invasive, and it's worth it to know for sure, especially before trying to treat anything.
Good luck and best wishes,
-Pam S.
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