Message Number: FHL6641 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "Meryl Faulkner"
Date: 2008-11-06 20:50:19 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Ferret with normal bg but hind leg weakness (for the 2nd time in 5wks)
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

I took Felicity in to my vet(a very good one) several weeks ago
because she had difficulty with her hind legs. She X rayed her and saw
a slightly large"space" at her sacro lumbar junction. I mentioned it
in mess.7871. I asked about tumors at that time and she said nothing
showed on the Xray and nothing could be felt. A few weeks later
Felicity improved and we thought perhaps it was just an injury which
healed. Her recent vet visit (about ten days ago) she seemed fine
except a little quieter and less active.Veterinarian said her blood
glucose was a tiny bit low previously, and that she might be adrenal -
some thinning on her neck and maybe early insulinoma. Since Felicity
is five we discussed an exploratory for adrenal surgery, and at the
visit she was given a lupron shot as a precautionary treatment until
surgery was scheduled. I noticed either Sunday Monday of this week
once again she became less active and could not beg/sit up. Today she
seems much worse (particularly her left hind leg which seems to curl
inwards)and I have an appointment to have the vet see her this
Saturday morning (the vet is unavailable on Friday). I
checked her BG today and it is 127. She's eating OK, but her last
visit she had lost some weight. Her eyes look good. I am worried and
mystified, but am trying to remain rational. I cannot imagine how she
could have "re injured" herself if that is the cause. Since her BG is
normal it seems unlikely that it might be insulinoma which is in a way
what I was hoping - since that at least would explain things. I am
afraid of some kind of lymphoma affecting her spinal column, or of
some kind of growth. I'm hoping Saturday that my veterinarian will
come up with a dx, but am so worried I thought I would post the list
for some input. I have had her for nearly five years and she has been
healthy until now. She's been the healthiest ferret I have had in a
long time. I think the veterinarian did say she felt what she thought
was an adrenal tumor when she palpated her abdomen. She is very
skilled at feeling such things. My other five ferrets have issues,its
just that this one has been so healthy until now I am finding it hard
to accept that this may not have a good outcome.Has anyone any ideas
on what this might be. I'm puzzled by the fact that the original
symptoms went away, and then recurred. I seem to remember that if it
is lymphoma that pred is a possibility for extending life - but not
controlling the disease of course. I assume that if she had insulinoma
she would have a low blood glucose. I'm puzzled by the improvement
from the original condition and now what seems a relapse.
Meryl



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