What are the signs of cancer in a ferret?
Less common signs of this cancer are coughing, difficulty breathing, and difficulty defecating. In adult ferrets, the disease often takes a longer course, and the signs are more variable. Again, the signs depend on what organs are infected with the cancer.
Can a ferret be cured of lymphoma?
In adult ferrets signs may include: Chemotherapy: Lymphoma is not cured by chemotherapy; however, it can be put into remission for a period of months to years. Testing and intermittent chemotherapy must be continued during the remission period to catch the cancer as it returns.
How to tell if you have a brain tumor?
In normal cases, fatigue can be relieved with proper resting at night, but in case of a brain tumor, this won’t suffice. The tumor will make the body feel weak and tired, even when you should be full of energy from good sleeping time. Small tasks can make you feel worn out; it can be just after waking up and getting ready for the day.
How often should a ferret have a physical exam?
That is 2/3 of all ferrets! Our best tool for combating these cancers is early detection. For this reason, we recommend physical exams every six months for ferrets over 3 years of age. Tumors of the pancreas produce an oversupply of insulin, causing low blood sugar. It might be easiest to think of this like the opposite of diabetes.
What kind of cancer does a ferret have?
The hair loss with adrenal tumors is usually symmetrical, meaning the hair loss looks about equal on the right and left sides of a ferret’s body. Examine the skin. Common forms of skin tumors in ferrets are mast cell tumors (MCT) and basal cell tumors, both of which produce easily recognizable masses on the skin.
What does a basal cell tumor look like in a ferret?
Unlike in dogs, MCTs are benign (not harmful). Interestingly, they can disappear and reappear on the skin, causing some ferret owners to mistake them for insect bites. Basal cell tumors are small and look like warts. If the center of tumor is depressed, it may look like a little crater on the skin.
Can a tumor in a ferret cause hair loss?
Tumors can cause a variety of physical symptoms in ferrets. Hair loss is a common symptom with adrenal tumors. If a ferret has an adrenal tumor, the hair loss will occur primarily on the tail and rear legs.
What kind of behavior can a ferret have?
Tumors in ferrets can sometimes cause unusual behavior and personality changes. For example, adrenal tumors make male ferrets very aggressive due to increased testosterone levels. Insulinomas can cause several personality changes, including irritability and stargazing (staring strangely into space).
