From:
ChaoticFer8s@aol.com
Date: 2008-03-01 20:47:50 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Re: lymphoma
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
In a message dated 2/28/2008 12:35:30 PM Pacific Standard Time,
irenekuik@hotmail.com writes:
My baby had only 3 chemo visits and her
lymphnode went down from 4.0 to a .2 in size, which was remarkable.
Now, at this point, her white blood cell count has dropped far to low
for them to continue, so we currently are waiting in hopes her white
cells count will come up to a good and safe level so we can begin
chemo again.
Hi Irene - On one of my ferrets, years ago now, who underwent chemo with
drop in wbc, the vet gave her a med which rapidly brought the count up so she
could continue the chemo. And darned if I can think of the name of it now!
Perhaps Sukie or one of the vets here can advise.....started with Win or
Wyn....had the name a bit ago and now it is gone. Although perhaps it is not being
used for some reason now. My girl lived a year & 3 mos. after chemo.
However, it might have been the steroids that kept cancer at bay. With a very
large tumor, surgically removed with biopsy that confirmed lymphosarcoma, and
which returned larger in one week, she was given a few weeks to live.
Prednisone was given for palliative treatment. She went into remission and after 3
months clean, we decided on chemo. She was an MF ferret and lived to over
nine years of age. She also had a cancerous adrenal removed, and pancreatic
surgery for cancer.
I have had four confirmed cases of lymphoma in the years I have owned
ferrets (at least that I can remember now - lots of years and many ferrets). In
one 7 year old, it was in her spleen. The spleen was removed and she remained
cancer free until she passed away at 9-1/2 years. No treatment was given as
follow-up. Apparently when isolated to the spleen metastasis is much slower
or doesn't happen.
Another girl was discovered to have a widespread abdominal tumor. We did
nothing because of her advanced age except to keep her comfortable. She ate and
did well for four months and then went down and passed away in one day.
I currently have a ferret with lymphoma. I came home to find blood all over
the bathroom. Shocked, I checked my ferrets and found one with what seemed
to be a very bad abrasion on her lower abdomen. After treating it locally
for nearly a week with no improvement, I became seriously concerned that this
was not just an abrasion. Her vet diagnosed lymphoma. The area of tumor was
not large. She was given a long acting steroid injection. That was six weeks
ago and she is due back at the vet early this week for another. During this
period since the injection, the tumor receded but seems to be coming back
now. She is only 7 years old. Her weight is good, she is eating well and is
active, and even playing a bit. She does not appear to be uncomfortable or
in pain at this point. I don't know what to expect for her future, but know
time with her will not be long.
Now if anyone has read this long post to this point, I have wondered if
locally applied prednisone might be of help. Anyone know? I have never dealt
with a skin cancer before. Best to all, Meg
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