From:
"mustelidmusk"
Date: 2009-08-19 06:20:26 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Atypical Adrenal or Cutaneous Lymphoma or something else?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi,
My ferret is showing signs of very advanced disease, but she acts and looks like she's half her age. This is kind of long and complciated, so I'll list things rather than write a book:
$ Year Old Sable Sprite (turned 4 in March)
Late alter (spayed 2 weeks into her first estrus)
Health history: No issues until March 2009
Currently at good weight, good muscle tone, eating well, extremely active - she looks great.
First Bloodwork - January, 2009
--------------------------------
Everything normal - looking great.
Diagnosed with adrenal - March, 2009
-------------------------------------
Symptoms: licking behavior and bilateral, quarter-sized bald patch during Spring shedding this year. The Patch resolved on its own within 2 weeks.
Diagnostics:
Adrenal Panel showed slight elvation in estradiol only
Ultrasound showed normal size/shape adrenals
Mesentric Cysts - incidental finding from Ultrasound March, 2009
---------------
deemed to be insignificant / not an issue
Started Lupron shots in March
-----------------------------
Since my ferret was in such good health. Current thought was that this is so early it could be hyperplasia, which could reslove on its own if excess hormones were supressed.
May: second adrenal panel and Complete Blood Count
---------------------------------------------------
Adrenal panel normal...All parameters within normal range
CBC - slightly high eosinophils (allergy?)
slightly low lymphocytes
Reported a small lesion on gum near lower jaw incisor. One incisor missing, the adjacent incisor somewhat loose. No apparent pain. Possible injury - watch and wait.
Note: about two years ago I noticed my girl was missing the second "tiny tooth" behind the lower "canine tooth" on the same side of the mouth as the lesion.
[The teeth behind the canines are premolars, followed by molars but it is normal for them to have a diastema -- which means a space or a gap -- next to a canine and that allows the opposite canine to fit properly. You probably compared sides, though, so in that case it was a premolar. -- Mod]
Early Aug: check-up
-----------------
small lesion (well-defined smooth bump, red at base) persists unchanged)size - about 1/16 inch - not changing. No apparent pain. perhap minor redness of the gum with minor swelling of the gum.
Possible Squamous Cell carcinoma. The vet did not want to disturb it because he was concerned he could not get a good enough sample for a valid biopsy.
Since oral tumors are usually SCC, and the treatment would involve partial removal of the lower jaw, chemo and/or radiation with a very poor prognosis, the decision is to keep her happy as long as possible.
Treatment: herbal therapy (medicinal mushrooms)
[Type, please? --Mod]
-----------
The tumor is actaully shrinking after about 3 days of teatment. redness and swelling down
New development:
---------------
Round raised, firm lump with red dot in enter, slight scabbing(blood) and dipersed red "brusing" at the edges. Location - off-center on her back toward her rump. Lump is free moving. The lump is nearly gone after 24 hours.
[Question: like the swelling from a mosquito bite, ferret bite or dislodged splinter? -- Moderator]
It's my understanding that the adrenal bruises are present in late stage disease only. That leaves the posibility of cutanteous lymphoma. I also have read the lymphopenia is a sign of late lymphoma that has been around for a longer period of time.
My ferret's activity level and "well-being" do not match up to my understanding late stage illnesses discuss above (adrenal, lymphomas, SCC) If anybody can shed some light on what might be happening, I'm all ears.
Also, if I were rich, I would have all of the following tests done immediately. But I have to spread the cost out over time.
CBC
Adrenal panel
ultrasound
x-ray to look for bone lesions??
Any vets have any recommendations on which might be the most beneficial tests to run first???
many thanks in advance!
-jennifer
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/