From:
"cherylnj81"
Date: 2007-12-14 16:15:30 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Help with my ferret Alvin
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Wondering if you all could take a look at this and let me know what
you think about my male ferret Alvin, 5.5 y.o. with no prior medical
problems except below:
In Spring of 2007 Alvin woke up one night very alert but unable to
walk, rear legs swollen, took to emergency room, vets checked Blood
sugar, was normal, gave shot of allergy medicine. Next morning all
legs were very swollen and purplish. Vet could not figure out what
was wrong but gave a shot of Lasix, and advised to syringe feed him
water throughout the night. Never figured out what was wrong, maybe
bug bite?
August 2007 Alvin starts showing rear leg unsteadiness, easily pushed
over, sliding a lot on wood floor. Got diagnosed with insulinoma from
glucose being in low 70s. Prescribed 0.05 ml Prednisolone 2x a day
(10mg/ml solution). Two weeks later, I retake blood at home and find
blood glucose level in 40s. Vet advised to bump up to .1 ml Pred.,
after a few days ferret starts showing signs of teeth grinding but
bowel movements ok. Lower to .075 ml Prednisolone, stays pretty
steady but not eating hard food anymore, only ground kibble mixed with
water.
October 2007, Alvin goes in for adrenal surgery based on positive
Tennessee Panel (no physical symptoms). Vet finds need for removal +
debulking, sends biopsy out and comes back as necrotic tissue. Vet
also notices wrinkled stomach so takes biopsy. Alvin recovers from
surgery and is eating hard kibble for a few days post-surgery, then
goes back to eating only soft food.
Mid-November 2007, Alvin still not eating hard food, continuing to be
lethargic and hind-leg weakness increasing, and frequent yawning. Vet
decides it might be a tooth problem so a cleaning is done and an x-ray
while under anesthesia. X-ray shows pneumonia unexpectedly (no
previous respiratory problems). Alvin eats hard food for a few days,
then goes back to only ground kibble + water.
Prescribed 1 month of .5 Clavamox.
December 2007 (present): no positive changes, persistent lethargy,
hind leg weakness. 2nd x-ray taken, no changes in pneumonia. Again,
NO observable respiratory symptoms like wheezing, coughing, etc. Vet
suspects permanent lung damage because of this type of pneumonia.
Prescribed 1.5 Enroflaxin for another few weeks, then review again.
After 2 days on new medicine, blood glucose still in 50s, still very
lethargic with lots of yawning.
September 28 blood values
AST (SGOT) 144 High (46-118 U/L)
Total Protein 8.2 High (4.3-6.0 g/dL)
Globulin 4.1 High (0.2-2.4 g/dL)
Cholesterol 90 Low (120-144 mg/dL)
Glucose 90 Low (120-144 mg/dL)
Calcium 9.8 High (7.6-9.6 mg/dL)
Monocytes 8 High (0-1%)
Eosinophils 6 High (0-1%)
November 13 blood values
Total Protein 8.1 High (4.3-6.0 g/dL)
Globulin 4.2 High (0.2-2.4 g/dL)
Creatinine 0.3 Low (0.4-0.9 mg/dL)
Glucose 77 Low (120-144 mg/dL)
Calcium 9.8 High ( 7.6-9.6 mg/dL)
Monocytes 8 High (0-1%)
Eosinophil 4 High (0-1%)
More info:
Alvin had a Electrophoresis test done in May of 2007, which showed the
following results:
Fraction Rel % G/dL
Albumin 52.2 3.24
Alpha 1 7.4 0.46
Alpha 2 9.4 0.58
Beta 15.7 0.97
Gamma 15.3 0.95
Total: G/dL 6.20 A/G 1.09
The technician put a note on the paper which said gamma = 15% ADV
light pos.
On 2nd page of electrophoresis test:
Chemistry: Serum con. Normal condition.
Electrophoresis
Alpha 1 Globulin 0.46 g/dL
Alpha2 Globulin 0.58 g/dL
Beta Globulin 0.97 g/dL
Gamma Globulin 0.95 g/dL
Albumin 52.2%
Alpha1 Globulin 7.4%
Alpha2 Globulin 9.4%
Beta Globulin 15.7%
Gamma Globulin 15.3%
A/G Ratio 1.09
Albumin EPH 3.24
TP EPH 6.2
Values reported are wintin normal expected ranges. Albumin and A/G
ratio values are good.
Subsequently, Alvin has had 2 ADV tests by Blue Cross Animal Hospital,
one in May 2007 and one in October 2007 which both came back negative.
Looking over the biopsies, here is what I actually have:
10/08/07
Source: Colon
Microscopic Description: The submitted smears are of low cellularity,
no intact nucleated cells are found. The background of the sample
contains moderate numbers of extracellular bacterial organisms,
usually rod-shaped. The sample also contains moderate amounts of
necrotic cellular debris and basophilic material interpreted as
possible mucus. No parasites, fungal organisms or atypical cells are
found.
Cytological Interpretation: Possible muous hyperplasia
Comments: The background of the sample contains abundant basophilic
material interpreted as possible mucus. The cause of these findings
cannot be determined from this sample. The bacterial organisms are
normal findings from the colon. No parasites or atypical cells are
found.
10/04/07
Source: Right adrenal gland
Microscopic Description: This sample is an isolated nodule of pale
pink to blue amorphous coagulum. Embedded within this are faint, poor
staining outlines of cells.
Diagnosis: Necrotic nodule
Comments: Because of the lack of visible features, we cannot identify
the source of this material. We therefore cannot comment on the cause
nor the effect on the patient.
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