From:
"haherendeen"
Date: 2009-01-15 20:05:34 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Considering Exploratory Surgery
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I'm posting about my fat, deaf, lovable boy, Smokey (almost 3 years
old, from Marshal Farms), who currently has:
Bright, alert disposition at play/free time
Enlarged Spleen
Enlarged Lymph Nodes (pretty much all of them)
Nickel sized patch of baldness at base of his tail
Yellowing fur at tail and neck
"Normal" CBC and Chem (according to Vet, I have the file
electronically if anyone wants to see it)
I brought him to the vet Monday because I had felt the large spleen,
and noticed the peripheral lymph node enlargement (his cervical
nodes, the ones on the neck, have been large/fatty for years) and the
missing hair on his tail. Otherwise, he appears completely healthy,
normal activity level and no pain when poking around on his belly.
I want to give him the best care, but also be smart with the money I
spend (I know these critters are not cheap to care for, I just don't
want to spend on procedure x, y and Z, and then not have enough for C
and d down the road).
The vet did the physical exam, and found (confirmed?) everything I
told them I'd noticed when I brought him in, except they didn't
notice the hair loss until I was holding him (this is a naked patch
of skin, not sparse or thinning coverage).
They wanted to do 2 radiographs and an ultrasound to see what might
be up with the spleen, adrenals and general system, before we had
even looked at the bloodwork. I asked if they would consider treating
with the Lupron Depot w/out additional confirmation of adrenal
disease, and at first they said "definitely not" but later agreed to
treat him (I don't know yet exactly what dose he was given, I hope to
find that later).
Right now, I am waiting to see if the hair will respond to the Lupron
treatment, and am wondering if, since he potentially has three
different problems going on right now, (lymphoma, Adrenal disease and
a sick spleen) if the best way to pinpoint what is wrong sooner vs.
later would be to do an exploratory surgery, but I guess I want to
see if this group has more information/advice on this?
With further thought and your help, I hope to talk with the vet next
monday to discuss the next steps in his treatment plan.
Thanks for any feedback on/off list!
-Hillary
(with Smokey and Bandit, brothers in all but genetics!)
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