From:
"Joanne Seamans"
Date: 2008-10-25 14:06:58 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] ugly mast cell tumor
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
My hob Nexus turned 7 last month and has some health issues. His
blood was tested in late April. His glucose was 73 and creatine
(whatever it is, relating to the kidneys) was elevated at 1.4.
BUN was 31. I have not had his blood tested since, because he is
not vaccinated for rabies and he bit the tech last time they tried
to draw blood, and I don't want to risk that again; if he bites
again, he will be under a 2-week quarantine at home, and if he
passes away during that time, he would have to be tested for rabies
which I could never deal with. This ferret cannot be scruffed.
They tried wrapping him in a towel. It stresses him out too much.
My vet sedated him to draw the blood. He gave him less dose of the
drug that was recommended for ferrets, but I could not stand how he
came out of it. He was flicking his tongue and doing the dog paddle
in the air and flopping around. I said never again. My vet started
him on 3 drops of Azium twice a day and a drop of iron supplement
once a day (vet said he was slightly anemic). We have upped the
Azium to six drops twice daily. Nexus sleeps a lot but has his
moments. He eats his soup well, 4 times/day (ground Totally Ferret
for older ferrets mixed with water). I don't add chicken baby food
because of the high protein (kidneys). The problem is he has
developed a mast cell tumor on his right side that is nasty. It has
become bloodied several times and scabs over. I put triple
antibioitc ointment from the vet on it. It is now the size of a
nickel. I would have it removed, but I fear putting him under
anesthesia would be a risk to his kidneys. I did that with my first
ferret many years ago, and he only lasted a month after surgery. He
declined rapidly. We don't know what the kidney values are now, but
we have to assume they have declined some since April. Do you think
I'm doing the right thing not having this tumor removed? Thanks.
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