Hi everyone.
 
Well, an update on Cael.
 
Dr. Williams looked at the slides of the needle aspiration of Cael's
kidneys.  The slides were broken when they arrived in Dr. Williams' office,
but even so, he thought enough was left to make some kind of determination.
He doesn't think it is lymphoma after all.  He hasn't ruled it out, but
he said he isn't even sure the cells were malignant.  (My regular vet said
he was certain they were malignant, he just couldn't tell what kind of
malignancy.)
 
Dr. Williams mentioned that it could also be that Cael's kidneys are
polycystic.  Or that he has ADV.  *sinking heart* With four other ferrets,
all of whom are good buddies with Cael, this could be devestating.  He
wondered why bloodwork wasn't done to begin with, (and I, who trusted the
judgement of my vet, didn't ask for it,) but said it is imperative that
some be done.  And I think an ADV test for Cael would be in order, then the
others, especially if Cael turns up positive.  Dr. Williams thinks the only
way to make a definite diagnosis would be to eventually take a piece from
Cael's kidney.
 
Here is where I need your help.  The bloodwork (and another needle
aspiration while he is down, since the first one was also a bad prep,) is
somewhat expensive.  I was quoted roughly $130 in house.  That is using
their adjusted cat levels, etc.  It would be more expensive by far to have
an actual ferret panel done at the lab they use.  They get discounts from
this lab for lab work they do a lot of, but they jsut don't see enough
ferrets to get those discounts for us.  I asked about an ADV test, and it
would run me $74.  That seems excessive to me.  Haven't I heard of people
getting them done (granted, in bulk,) for $10-$25?  Anwyay, I want to do
whatever I can for Cael, but I need help finding a cheaper way to do it.
Does anyone know of a lab who will do the work for less so my Cael can get
his work done by an actual lab instead of the makeshift one at the vet's
office?  (Their facilities aren't makeshift, but their experience with
ferret testing seems to be.)
 
Melissa Barnes
[Posted in FML issue 3413]