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Stomach lump??

21 10:45:58

Question
I recently got a ferret March 26 from a Humane society. We know she has Adrenal and is an older ferret around 6yrs old. Well earlier i went to let my fuzz butts out and i noticed my one had a greenish lump on the right side of her belly. Nothing seems to be wrong with her otherwise. Shes eating, Drinking and using the bathroom fine. I felt the lump and it feels hard..She walking around and acting the same as she's been for a month now. What could this bump be? She also has a pot looking belly. I called 2 vets offices and neither know what it is. The one vet said that we should consider to put her to sleep. But she doesnt seem to be in pain....please help!

Answer
Hello Nicole,

That is so kind of you to adopt an older ferret!!  So few find loving homes.  

As far as what the growth is.. it is impossible to say without taking a fine needle aspirate or biopsy of the tissue.  A cytology could tell the vet what type of growth she has and a prognosis.  Sometimes surgery is an option, but that depends on you and how the vet feels she would do post-procedure.  

You should NOT put her to sleep without a checkup with a veterinarian who is knowledgeable with ferrets.  Even if it is a malignant tumor, she is acting normally now and that means she is happy.  UNTIL she is in pain, or otherwise looses the quality of life, you should not euthanize her!!!  

The following might help you find a more knowledgeable vet in your area:

Here is a list of links that may lead you to a ferret vet in your area:

VETS CANADA:   
* http://www.ferretrescue.ca/start.php
* http://tinylink.com/?TlVyYKa6e0
* http://www.ferrets.org/Veterinarian_Listings.htm   (British Columbia)
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html
* http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/sask_ferrets/

VETS USA:
* http://www.quincyweb.net/quincy/vet.html
* http://ferrethealth.org/vets/
* http://www.ferret-universe.com/vets/vetlist.asp
* http://www.ferretsanctuary.com/vets.shtml
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html
* http://ferrethealth.org/vets/

VETS  UK & IRELAND:  
* http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ferreter/vetlist.htm

VET INFO/ LIST OF FERRET GROUPS/ CONTACTS IN UK, ITALY, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, NETHERLANDS, GERMANY & DENMARK:       
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-overseas.html (scroll down page to find the one you are looking for).

Good luck, and I hope the best for your little girl!

-Cindy P.