Okay, first off take a deep breath.  Adult lymphoma is VERY different from
juvenile lymphoma; they are TWO SEPARATE diseases with the same primary
target or origin organs.  The progression of adult lymphoma can be STALLED
and sometimes STOPPED with chemotherapy.  In fact, the first ferret whose
life was saved (Katie's Bandit was a biopsy-proven case of lympho -- without
a biopsy of a node it is NOT possible to tell whether a ferret has lympho
since a smoldering infection CAN LOOK THE SAME.) died earlier this year
after 5 YEARS cancer-free as a result of using a modification of the Jeglum
Protocol (Which is not expensive.) for cats.  GET THE FAQ ON LYMPHOMA AND
READ IT AND GIVE A COPY TO YOUR VET, ASAP!!!!!!!!!  The BEST ferrets for
getting good chemo results from what I have read (and even occassionally for
having spontaneous remissions) are ones at their prime -- three or four
years old, so your little one may still have many years left!  Since
Bandit's treatment some other chemo approaches have also been reported
having successful use on the FML; perhaps someone connected with them is
still here and will write to you.  Even when the ferret can not be saved it
is possible to greatly decrease the rate of spread even with something as
easy and cheap as prednisone.
 
Juvenile lympho which your kit had is very different, but even on that front
I was told last month that a ferret belonging to Cindy Sooy is showing some
reasonable results on a new chemo approach.  There may even eventually be
some hope with that, too.
 
You are in N.J.  In Basking Ridge (1-908-766-4211) is Hanan Caine who has
done a specialization in exotics at the AMC and whom we consider to be
top-notch and a BRILLIANT surgeon -- better than ANY veterinary surgeons
Steve or I have ever met and with one exception better than the human med
surgeons we've met, too, The Animal Medical Center itself (expensive but
first rate) is in N.Y.C.  and has a large number of exotics specialists and
veterinary oncologists.  It's number is: (Dang it, I've missplaced their
phone card, but they are in the lower Manhatten listings so just call 1- NYC
area code-555-1212.)  [Moderator's note: Their number is 212-838-8100  BIG]
 
This year shortly after both Ruffle and Meltdown were found to have
cardiomyopathy Meeteetse had her nodes sky high.  Fortunately, it turned out
to NOT be lympho, but to be an antibiotic resistant infection.  This is NOT
uncommon.  (Also nodes will appear worse if a ferret is extremely muscular
since that pops them out, or if the ferret has large fat pads.
 
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 1790]