From:
"Karen McCabe"
Date: 2009-01-15 23:51:44 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Considering Exploratory Surgery
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "haherendeen" <haherendeen@...>
wrote:
>
> 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)
> he potentially has three
> different problems going on right now, (lymphoma, Adrenal disease and
> a sick spleen)
An enlarged spleen can be seen with both lymphoma and, in some cases,
adrenal disease. Hair loss can be seen with both as well. Yellowing of
the coat can be seen with adrenal disease. Neither illness will show
on routine bloodwork and both can be missed on ultrasound as well. To
check for adrenal disease you could try the adrenal panel (run only by
the U of Tenn....info below), to check for lymphoma you might try an
aspirate of either the nodes or the spleen. Surgery may or may not be
helpful with adrenal disease (in my experience lupron has been more
successful....however, if lymphoma or other cancers are present
results with lupron will not be as good) and will only be helpful with
lymphoma if there is a mass that can be removed (surgery will not cure
lymphoma, there is no cure).
Personally, I would opt for the least invasive procedures, at least
until you know what you're dealing with. If you are dealing with
lymphoma there really is no point in surgery (unless, again, there is
a mass that can be removed, which may buy some time).
Info....
Adrenal Panel for Ferrets - Test for adrenocortical disease in ferrets.
Collect baseline serum sample (0.5 ml). Centrifuge samples as soon as
possible, separate and freeze.
Ship frozen samples preferably in styrofoam container, next day
delivery, on Monday - Thursday with 1-2 cool-packs (add insulating
materials [peanuts; paper], and seal styrofoam seams with tape).
The following hormones will be assayed: Estradiol, Androstenedione and
17-hydroxyprogesterone. The assay is run each week.
UTCVM Clinical Endocrinology Service
Department of Comparative Medicine, Rm A105
A-105, Veterinary Medical Building
2407 River Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4543
Tel: (865) 974-5638
FAX: (865) 974-5640
http://www.vet.utk.edu/diagnostic/endocrinology/
Karen McCabe
http://www.cinnamonsprite.net
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