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Post by Kimberly on Jun 28, 2010 17:01:18 GMT -5
hello.. ive got a 4 year old female ferret, named karat. a couple of weeks ago, i got a cold/fever.. knowing that ferrets can catch this, i was careful as i could be. well.. a week later little karat started wheezing/coughing but seemed happy overall. just this past week i went on a week vaca.. and just incase i took her into the vet before leaving just to make sure she would be okay while my parents watched her (and her brother who is only a year) the vet diagnosed it as a cold as well... put her on some antibiotics and all was good. well.. just getting back from vaca about two days ago... and ASSUMING my mother gave her her meds everyday.. i was quite surprised to see her STILL coughing.. but okay otherwise.. but still.. i got curious and felt her lymph nodes.. assuming im feeling the right thing they seem large to me.. im taking her into the vet for a follow-up first thing in the morning she does seem sleepy.. hasnt wanted to play, but still has a good interest in food and water. im just very worried about lymphoma.. and though i work for a vet (only does cats and dogs) my boss noted that lymph nodes can become enlarged for several reasons.. but i wanted to get some opinions anyway... im so worried i dont wanna lose her :/
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Post by Barbara on Jun 29, 2010 8:36:43 GMT -5
It could be several things and we are going to keep positive thoughts. Maybe another antiobiotic is all that's needed.
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Post by smitti on Jun 29, 2010 19:24:31 GMT -5
antibiotics wont help a cold. so im not sure why they gave u them
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Post by Barbara on Jun 30, 2010 6:20:06 GMT -5
It's the secondary infection that sometimes comes along with a cold that they are trying to either treat or keep from having. It doesn't hurt to cover those bases when you have a very sick ferret. You don't say where you're from. Is it cold or getting cold there? During the winter Buddy gets huge fat pads in his neck and legs that the vet always becomes concerned about but spring they go away. Just a instinct for them to store energy for the winter.
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Post by krwkim26 on Jul 7, 2010 9:33:34 GMT -5
update: well.. after all the antibiotics and nursing.. my little karat wasnt getting worse, but wassnt getting better? did some tests... they found alot of fluid in her lungs that pretty much told us it wasnt a cold or pneumonia of any kind. turns out.. she has lymphoma. its just breaking my heart.. it really is. she isnt even gone yet and i cry almost everyday. and although she is doing pretty well.. i still know it can be anyday now. if she was alot older (shes only 4..) i think id accept it a little better.. knowing these little guys are SO prone to cancers.. you never think it would really happen to you. it just rips you apart.
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Post by Barbara on Jul 7, 2010 9:57:56 GMT -5
That is one of the most dreaded dx we have to face and I'm sorry about Karat having it. All I can tell you is give her lots of love and let her know about the Bridge and how we all will be praying for her. It's breaking my heart too and I'm sending her and you some hugs.
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Post by MysticalManana on Jul 7, 2010 11:44:50 GMT -5
I am so sorry it is lymphoma. If possible try to be positive and keep the atmosphere as normal for Karat as possible, they know when we are upset and it stresses them, if you are more positive so will she be. (((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))) Hold her and talk to her about the bridge and tell her you wont let her suffer, she will tell you when shes had enough and wants to go into the light.
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Post by krwkim26 on Jul 7, 2010 14:45:52 GMT -5
thank you all for your care and support.. so much. im trying to stay positive.. though its hard. i keep telling her that im sorry that this had to happen.. especially at four years. it just crushes me that just last oct. she went through sugery for being obstructed which was hell for her im sure... and in the end this is what she gets. there is a feeling of guilt.. i dont really know why. the day i first got her.. i never thought she would have such a impact on my life. no matter how crummy my day is, or just life in general.. she was always something i always looked forward to when coming home.. or waking up. those beaty little eyes that stare back at you. always my little shadow following me everywhere. and now.. im sure youve all had to go through this, but believe it or not.. ive never had to experience making the decision to put a pet down before.. and this is where im asking for help. i know lymphoma is pretty much a death sentence either way you look at it.. she is on predisolone right now.. and she is eating and drinking. but doesnt care to play what so ever.. just wants to sleep. i dont want to let go to soon.. or to late. i want as much quality time with her being comfortable.. if that makes sence?
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Post by Katiebug on Jul 7, 2010 16:29:18 GMT -5
I'm so sorry that it's lymphoma. I lost my ferret Prissy to it, and she went quickly on her own. It wasn't but a few weeks after her diagnosis that she passed away, but I imagine she had it for awhile before I ever noticed anything was wrong. You will know when its time to put her down. She will let you know. I've been there before, so I totally understand how you feel.
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Post by Barbara on Jul 7, 2010 16:58:07 GMT -5
I agree, she will let you know when it's time.
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Post by Cinnamon Sprite on Jul 8, 2010 0:16:22 GMT -5
I'm so very sorry. I've lost many to lymphoma myself, it's never easy. The pred should help keep her comfortable and may even prolong her life a bit, I had one last 2 years on pred....she didn't play much either, and slept a lot (they usually do) but she was comfortable and happy. Sometimes they pass peacefully on their own, if/when your girl needs help to go you'll know. My thoughts are with you.
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Post by Kim on Jul 9, 2010 15:55:50 GMT -5
Thank you guys so much.. it means alot.. i dont know alot of people that have full appreciation of ferrets.. prob cause not many of them have owned one and seen their charm. although everyone whos met my little karat just adores her.. im sure you guys would too. she is a doll. I was hoping for more time with her.. but with the fluid build up in her lungs that is obviously not that of pneumonia (like we first thought) i think that day is gunna come much sooner. I work at a animal clinic myself but my boss only does cats and dog.. however he was about to get about 10cc of fluid(chyle) out of her lungs and sent it off to be checked.. even though the pathology came back with no cancer cells.. it also stated that there could still be cancer present and my boss thinks with her enlarged lymph nodes.. thats prob what we are looking at.. lymphoma- this was tuesday he did all this, and today is friday and i had him get some more fluid out (about 15cc) to make her feel more comfortable but i think whatever it is, lymphoma or what.. is really taking a toll on her. I think that is she isnt feeling better (being on predisolone also) by late tonight/tomorrow morning.. i think its time to let her go... you can see it in her little eyes that she doesnt feel good and i need to do this for her. i know how much its killing.. shes my first ferret and has been by far the best pet.. i know she will be okay and over time i will too.
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Post by joclyn on Jul 9, 2010 19:53:51 GMT -5
i'm so sorry that karat has lymphoma at least you know what the issue is. with percy, we did test after test after test and nothing showed. we treated as for ibd and he improved, so we didn't do the exploratory (which was the next option since all the tests were not showing anything at all). so, when he crashed a few months later and was gone within days, it was much more of a blow when i got the results of the necropsy. talk about being blindsided! although, even if the exploratory had been done and the cancer found, there wasn't a darned thing i could have done for him any differently than i did do. so, having this knowledge as awful as it is, does give you insight and will help guide you over the next months when it comes to treating karat. make the most of the time you have by making happy memories. if you are stressed and upset, it will make her so and that will allow this awful thing to progress at a faster pace and i know that's not something you want!! so, love & cuddle & play with her AND spoil her as much as you can!! are you giving meds for the fluid in the lungs as well as the pred?? meds specifically to reduce fluid build up would be helpful in making and keeping her comfortable. please ask your vet about it!!
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Post by Kim on Jul 10, 2010 0:07:26 GMT -5
Yah... the other option the other vet (not my work) wants to try is a ultrasound.. i wouldnt mind that if it wasnt so expensive and hard to schedule.. and with fluid build up that limits the time she has. my boss has been able to drain like i said before, but on a little animal like her even just a little gas can be extremely stressful for her.. not to mention im sure its somewhat painful waking up after being stuck with a neetle- but we are trying to help her breath better, seems to help.
unfortunitly.. shes only on pred right now. are there meds to help with fluid like that? noones mentioned it.. only thing i know of is lasix for heart disease.. and im not sure if you can still use that if it isnt heart related? if they do have something like that, lymphoma or not, i think that will help SOOO much. I have no doubt that if this fluid continues/gets worse.. it'll "seal the deal" on her..
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Post by joclyn on Jul 10, 2010 14:37:51 GMT -5
yes, lasix is used with heart condition/fluid build-up there. not sure if it's useful with build-up in other areas. i *think* there are other meds to reduce fluid build-up, too.
i've not had a ferret with these issues, yet, so, am only commenting based on what others have said.
ask the vet if lasix or some other med would be useful to make the little one a bit more comfortable.
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