From:
Sandy Grant
Date: 2008-04-11 01:13:47 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Re: A Mixed Message of Hope and Sorrow...I'm sorry,..this is very long...
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Lisa
there are no blood tests to specifically indicate a hemangiosarcoma, but anemia can be a sign, but it can also indicate other issues. Blood tests can let us know that there is lymphoma, insulinoma, adrenal disease via a cortisol level. The most important test though is that ultrasound, I can't stress this enough, as well as multiple thorough Physicals yearly even in young ferrets.
Doc Sandy
bzwithmybirds <bzwithmybirds@yahoo.com> wrote:
Hi Kimba,
How did you get through losing two ferrets within two months? I'm
still a total mess over Shadow.
Any coping hints people can share would be much appreciated.
I plan to use your idea about doing body checks each night. It makes
good sense - thanks! I'm SO paranoid about what happened with Shadow,
I'm afraid that I'll assume that EVERYBODY has something wrong,
though. Since my youngest two are nearly three, I have no super-young
specimens to feel as a "control." And I've heard from folks privately
about seemingly fast-onset cancers in even 2-3 year old ferrets,
which makes me think that my entire group is susceptible! I feel like
I missed noticing Shadow's tumor during our daily playing, or through
normal handling, although rarely would she lie on her back during all
that. It was very obvious when her vet turned her belly up and
pressed certain areas. I'm sick that it got that far with me being
unaware.
On our next visit, I'll have their vet walk me through a thorough
body check as it's being done, so I'm sure that everything I'm
feeling is "normal." God forbid that there's a need to point out
something that isn't. I don't think I could take that right now.
Nobody's coughing, limping, breathing heavily, unable to eat,
displaying a lump, or any of the other symptoms that I've been
hearing that may indicate a tumor. But then again, neither was
Shadow....
- Lisa
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