From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2011-08-26 16:37:49 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] 9 mth old female sick again
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi, KG, and everyone else,
First, your final thought in your e-mail is absolutely correct:
Gladiola needs to go back to the vet as soon as you can possibly
arrange it. Ferrets with GI problems can go downhill very, very
quickly.
My second thought is that an enlarged lymph node does not necessarily
mean lymphoma. An infection, for example, can cause lymph nodes to
become enlarged. In a very young adult ferret like Gladiola juvenile
lymphoma is a possibility but it certainly isn't the most likely
cause.
If your vet wants to do a surgical biopsy you may want to inquire if
they can do a needle aspirate instead. That's less invasive and we've
had it done on three of my ferrets over the years. You may still need
to consider the biopsy if the aspirate is inconclusive but it does
present a potentially good alternative that would avoid surgery. I've
had one ferret diagnosed with lymphoma this way and another who had it
ruled out this way. I've also had one inconclusive result (Ella) and
it turned out she did not have lymphoma.
I know cost is always an issue but do allow the vet to do full blood
work (CBC and chem panel) as well as a fecal smear. The more you
learn up front the less poking and prodding you will have to put
Gladiola through later.
Finally, if this does turn out to be lymphoma (and I am not saying
that is likely) then you are correct that juvenile lymphoma is usually
aggressive and rarely responds to treatment. However, there is a huge
difference between rarely and never. I would first be absolutely sure
that is what you are dealing with even if you have to do a biopsy to
find out. I would also discuss options with your vet before jumping
to any conclusions.
The following links may be helpful:
http://miamiferret.org/lymphoma.htm
http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/lymph.html
http://www.2ndchance.info/lymphomaferret.htm
Once again, I make no assumption about what is ailing Gladiola and the
one and only piece of concrete advice I can give is that you shouldn't
either.
The usual disclaimers apply: I am not a vet. I don't even play one
on TV. All my experience with lymphoma is in older ferrets.
All the best to you and to Gladiola,
Caity and the dynamic duo, Zephyr and Chin Soon
http://ferretsofdisorder.blogspot.com
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