Lymphoma And Lymphosarcoma in Ferrets

[Johnny and Demon]

We sadly learned that our Demon, who is only 3 years old, has lymphoma. If anyone has any suggestions to give us, treatements, way to make sure he is eating properly, personal experiences .. Feel free to share !
We hope our dear boy will stay with us for a couple years, as we love him very much.

[Sisko & Odo's Mom]

so sorry to hear this always sad to hear of our kids being sick.

[Chantal Dyke]

he's lucky to have a good mom like you!
at least he will get the treatment he needs.
good luck to you ! he's gorgeous

[Johnny and Demon]

Thanks for the kind words everyone.
& Thanks for those who are helping my boyfriend and I, and our fur babies ..

[Johnny and Demon]

I heard that silvers are more prone to diseases such as lymphoma .. Is that true ?

[ferretmothertoo]

Certain colour patterns are prone to the genetic defect of deafness. However, I don't think colour has anything to do with lymphoma.

I have lost 7 to the disease. Five were between the ages of 3-4; one was 4 years 5 months and the other 5. Ferrets are stoic little creatures and will hide their illnesses until it is too late (a natural instinct to protect themselves from predators). This is what happened with 5 of them. The other 2 were on pred for insulinoma. One had a mass in the thorax and lived a month. The other the vet suspected lymphoma (enlarged lymph nodes) and he was fine for 4 months. Then it was like the other 5.

There is an article on www.smallanimalchannel.com on saying good-bye to an ailing ferret that you might want to read.

How is Demon doing? He is a handsome lad. You are doing the right thing to learn as much as possible.

[Johnny and Demon]

Thanks for the info.

Demon is a gorgeous ferret indeed.
He is so smart, so handsome ! <3

Today he's fine, but last night he was coughing alot. He was almost choked after he ate his meal It is hard to believe he has so much energy this morning. But he does. He ate his soup by himself, Johnny by his side. Then he started running through the house. Trying to open my kitchen's cabinet doors... He has good days and bad days.
We hope to never see horrible days for him. We don't want to see the day he will no longer have the energy to fight the cancer .. but we know it is going to happen one day
No matter how hard it is, as a family, we will all going through this nightmare together.
Demon has always been there for us. To make us smile, to make us laugh, to make us proud of him. We will also be there for him, until the end
If it was only a nightmare .. !
We love our Demon so much ! <3

[Tressie]

Here is the direct link to the article Heather is referring to, written by a fellow FHL moderator:

www.smallanimalchannel.com/ferrets/ferret-health/saying-goodbye-to-an-ailing-ferret.aspx

[Johnny and Demon]

Thank you !

[Johnny and Demon]

Hi everyone,


I just wanted to share with you some news of Demon.


My poor baby has started coughing quit a bit this morning and he has stopped around 11h45am If only you knew how much I hate that sound !

Other than that, he seems to be a happy ferret when he is out of his room. Playing, eating, drinking water .. Trying to do all the things he likes to do and we don't lol

My loveable boy, my dear baby .. My gorgeous Demon ! I only want the best for him. If you forget about this morning episode, he seems fine...
Its heartbreaking to see him trying to live his little life. Sometimes, I have the feeling he thinks eating and such will make the cancer goes away .. I so wish he was right. Its unfair .. pets are just like children ; innoncent in this world. They don't deserve such pain and sorrow

As long he is playing, eating and trying to do his things .. as long he looks happy .. I know he is ok... But if only you knew how much I hate that big C. If only you knew how much I want life to know I don't need her to remember me time is being counted.

Sorry to bother you guys .. that's what I've been thinking this morning ..

Our pets are so precious to us We love them very much <3


Thank you Tressie.

[Tressie]

Annik,

My heart always goes out to anyone dealing with lymphoma, it is a horrible disease.

Many people assume that a ferret's appetite decreases with lymphoma but oftentimes the opposite is true. With the exception of one, all of my ferrets who have had lymphoma have developed voracious appetites.

Some of this is a function of the cancer itself because it needs to be fed. It creates its own network of blood vessels to keep it nourished to help it grow.

The depletion of the body's resources by the cancer increases the ferret's appetite. Prednislone is also an appetite enhancer.

The coughing would suggest that it is invading the thoracic region (i.e., heart and lungs), which lymphoma does.

I am so sorry : (

Tressie

[Johnny and Demon]

Thank you again Tressie for your kind words.

Demon seems better today. He only had a small cough this morning. It seems to be 3 good days, one bad day, 3 good days .. and so on