Treatment is indicated for ferrets showing clinical signs. The cost of chemotherapy treatments for cats can cost pet owners from $200 to $2,000, depending on the length of treatment. Yeah, I did not want to put him through stress of Chemo anyway. Once lymphoma is confirmed, treatment options will depend on the age and condition of your ferret. I believe the vet will be checking his sugars within 2 weeks again. Chemotherapy … In hospital supportive care should be initiated for debilitated patients. Prednisone, a steroid given orally are known to help many ferrets. A ferret with early stages of insulinoma may show very subtle signs. The chemotherapy drugs have relatively mild side effects (e.g., weakness, vomiting, loss of whiskers). Prior to beginning chemotherapy, a complete physical examination, and blood work including complete blood count (CBC) and blood glucose are required. The ferret may stare into space as if it is in a trance. Lymphoma in ferrets is often an incidental finding as many ferrets show no symptoms. Chemotherapy will not cure your ferret’s lymphoma, but can prolong your ferret’s life. Costs … Medical therapy: Medical therapy involves the use of drugs to increase the blood sugar of your ferret. The cost of cancer chemotherapy can vary widely depending on a number of factors. Debilitated, anorectic, or dehydrated ferrets will be hospitalized for intravenous chemotherapy. He takes pred very easily. It may seem tired or may lack energy. Waiting on liquid to come in I have been given quarter cuts of a pill and dissolve it in water. This is usually effective at controlling the signs for 6-18 months. The ferret owner reported the ferret rather quickly within a month is acting completely normal, like before the ferret was sick. You usually have to contribute to the cost of oral chemotherapy drugs you take at home. No negative side effects have been reported. Some of the side effects can be serious, though, so your vet will want to monitor your ferret’s blood work during chemotherapy treatment. Chemotherapy is most successful in ferrets that have recent onset of mild symptoms, and in those with no symptoms that have been diagnosed by routine blood glucose monitoring. The ferret may retch or paw at it’s mouth as if nauseous. Pain and nausea medications can add another $25 to $50 in oral drug therapy costs. The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) subsides the cost of many chemotherapy drugs for people with a current Medicare card. Simple sugars and carbohydrates should be avoided at all cost because they will trigger insulin release from the cancer, and can throw your ferret into a hypoglycemic crisis. Costs are a factor but I don't want to put him through that much stress. I do have experience with ferret chemo coupled with alternative medicine. There is also a possibility that surgery may be required to relieve intestinal obstructions, remove solitary masses, and to obtain specimens. A standard course of chemotherapy costs between $3,000 and $5,000, and radiation treatments used for brain and nasal tumors run between $6,000 and $10,000. More options are available for the slower spreading adult onset variation of the disease than juvenile onset. This is known as a co-payment. Tumor(s) are shrinking, glucose levels returned to normal without ANY meds besides the chemo pill. My ferret was diagnosed with very early stage orbital lymphoma at the age of 3. As the disease progresses the ferret acts increasingly weak. [42] Older, debilitated ferrets are more likely to develop serious side effects to chemotherapy. 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