From:
"Meryl Faulkner"
Date: 2008-06-26 21:45:42 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] ferret with ascites
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Yesterday I took Foster a 3 and a half yr old ferret with a prior
history of adrenal problems to my veterinarian. He originally came
from Arizona (pet store), not a Marshall Farms animal. He had surgery
in 2006 and had his entire left adrenal removed. He's been on lupron
since Feb 2008 after a positive adrenal panel. Suddenly three - four
days ago (it seemed sudden- maybe I missed earlier signs) he appeared
lethargic. the weather here (CA) was unusually hot. Yesterday I took
him to my vet(ferret expert - great woman) because the other ferrets
are back to normal behavior, he was not. The clinic called me, said
blood work was normal, weight was down, I had sent a fecal sample with
him - that appeared normal. My vet did an X-ray late in the day and
called me to say she saw some fluid in his abdomen- ascites. Possible
lymphoma. She asked if I wanted to do an ultrasound, or try an
exploratory surgery. I was so stunned I said I couldn't decide.
If it was lymphoma I did not know what would be gained by an
exploratory. BTW his heart was fine and everything else was normal. My
question is, she said that treatment (assuming it is lymphoma) would
be pred. I have to check his blood sugar today since they got two
differing results - a 65 and a 120. Have not done that yet since I
rehab wildlife and have had a string of sick seabirds to deal with. He
ate some A/D when I syringe fed him, but I noticed his spine felt
bony. I've looked in the archives, and at Dr Williams article on
lymphoma - not a cheerful read. I'm kind of paralyzed as to what to do.
Can one get a definitive diagnosis from an ultrasound? I kind of hate
to put him though surgery - specially if it does turn out to be
lymphoma - since I assume that even if she removes the ascites, there
is no specific organ affected by lymphoma - it can be the nodes, or
organs. Am I correct? and has anyone any advice on what I should do?
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