To Anon, concerning Pretzel's tumor:
 
     >I thought that if the tumor was on the "bad side" (I think that's the
     >left), the gland that surrounds one of the major arteries (or veins .
     >. . i can't remember) it was very risky and difficult to remove.  I
     >was told that Pretzel's adrenal gland completely surrounded this
     >artery and that to remove it would be a huge risk to her life, i.e.,
     >they weren't sure they could get it without nicking the artery.
 
     >Was I misled?  The doctor who did the exploratory surgery removed
     >some of the tumor to do a biopsy and she thought that perhaps that
     >might help a bit.
 
     >One other question to you, if I may.  Along with Pretz's hair loss
     >she went into a false heat.  That in itself was no big deal (except a
     >little messy regarding discharge) but now she has gone out of this
     >false heat and her vaginal swelling is gone.  Is this good, bad or
     >just one of the things that happens with a tumor?
 
        Anon -
 
        Ah.  I thought "the bad side" meant that the tumor was malignant.
     Your vet was talking about right vs. left.  In this terminology, the
     "bad side" would be the right.  There are some large vessels that run
     across the top of the gland, which makes a lot of vets nervous during
     the surgery.  But let me assure you, it certainly can be done.  Most
     of the time in this area, the vets will "chip away" at the tumor with
     the scalpel blade, rather than taking a big chunk and risk hitting
     that vessel.  Most good ferret vets will do the surgery.  If your vet
     doesn't feel comfortable doing the surgery, maybe the FML can suggest
     one who will (or you can find one in the Star database.)
 
        I can steer you to some in the MD/VA area, but I think you are in
     CA, so someone else would have to pitch in here.  But just because the
     tumor is on the right side certainly doesn't make it inoperable.
 
        Concerning the false heat - spayed females with adrenal disease
     often show (46% of the time in a study I just finished of 86 cases)
     vulvar swelling due to the estrogen that the tumor produces.  It's not
     a true heat, as these animals don't have aplastic anemia as unspayed
     jills too long in estrus will show.  But it is to be expected with
     adrenal disease and is an excellent diagnostic symptom.
 
        Check around and see if you can find a vet to help Pretzel out.
 
     Bruce Williams, DVM     [log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1025]