From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2012-03-16 20:44:45 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Mass Btwn Shoulder Blades Containing Melatonin Implants
To: fhl <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
Privately Dr. Jerry Murray wrote (copied here with his permission):
> Injection site sarcomas and fibrsarcomas are usually related to vaccines and the
> aluminum that is used in some vaccines (rabies vaccine) to stimulate the immune system.
> Purevax distemper does not have aluminum, but other dog or mink distmper vaccines might.
> Ferrets can get them, but cats are more prone to them. It has been linked to a
> defect in the p53 tumor suppressor gene and chronic inflammation in cats. It can
> take weeks, months, and even years for the tumor to appear in cats.
> I think I reported the first case in a ferret back in 1998 (JAVMA 213:955), and there is a
> pathology article from the U of Georgia that describes 7 ferret tumors (Vet Path 2003;40:288-293).
and
> In cats several other medications have also been linked to these tumors. It is tempting
> to blame it on the implants, but if a vaccine had ever been giving over the shoulders in the
> past then it is more likely related to the vaccine.
END SECTION WITH QUOTES (for which author permission has been provided)
I don't know if the presence of the p53 variant has been directly linked to tumors in ferrets (and which tumors in ferrets specifically) though it sure is a strong link to increased vulnerability in multiple mammals. Dr. Bob Wagner of Penn State did that work on ferrets, finding the genetic variant in some of them. Some other very extensive ferret genetic vulnerability work being done by a group led by Dr. Michelle Hawkins of UC Davis and that may well have the first stage finished this year or next.
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
all ferret topics:
http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html
"All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow."
(2010, Steve Crandall)
On change for its own sake: "You can go really fast if you just jump off the cliff."
(2010, Steve Crandall)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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