Author wrote: >I got a call yesterday AM ~7:30. She was showing neurologic symptoms, >re-ran bloodwork and calcium read >16 (machine maxed out at 16). BUN >only dropped to 78. We tried to get to the vet in time, but she >collaped and passed away ~10am at the vets. > >I feel horrible she was alone--but I am also wondering if I did >anything. I have talked with the Vet FOREVER about this--but I don't >know if there is anything else I could have done. We only got the >biopsy results back yesterday that she had lymphoma (results from the >lymph node and liver)-- she had surgery exactly one week prior. Dear X - I am sorry for your loss. It is likely that the lymphoma was well advanced at the time of surgery - it likely didn't incite it to grow any faster. Hypercalcemia is an uncommon finding in ferrets with lymphoma, but has been well-documented. It is far more common in dogs and cats though (we call it hypercalcemia of malignancy). Anything else you could have done - no. Lymphoma is very much a silent killer - you had some premonitory signs, but many ferrets don't even show that - they are simply found dead. This is a tragedy, but a common one. Don't blame yourself for anything here - With kindest regards, Bruce Williams, DVM [Posted in FML issue 4151]