I noticed that someone had posted a few days ago about their ferret having
"pred belly".
 
I was wondering if they got any answers to this problem.  I too am taking
care of a ferret with diagnosed "lymphosarcoma".  He has been on prednisone
for about 4 months, is doing very well, except he also has a very swollen
belly.  I took him to the vet yesterday to see if he needed to be put on
diuretics, but he told me no it wouldn't help.  (This vet is not very
ferret knowledgeable, so I don't know if I trust this advice.) I have
searched the archives but haven't found an answer to this question, so if
anyone out there has any knowledge about this could you please share it
with me and the list?  Apparently it is a fairly common problem, and I am
just not sure if the prednisone causes fluid retention or if this swelling
is due to the lymphosarcoma itself.  And if it is due to fluid build up,
did your vets prescribe anything for it?
 
Thanks for your help, this list and the archives have been enormously
helpful in taking care of these little guys.
 
Julie
[Posted in FML issue 2663]