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Post by rnltred on Jan 18, 2006 8:47:25 GMT -8
We lost one of our Nutmeg girls "Brownie" night before last. She was 18 mos. and one of 3 sisters. She had been looking lethargic for a day or so and we took her to the vet and he gave us Lasix to give her to try and reduce the amount of fluid in her abdomen. She died about 6 hrs after the first dose. We let him do a post mortem on her and her found she had a large Ovarian Tumor, about the size of a grape. The Lasix wouldn't have done her any good anyway. Does anyone have any insight as to what causes Ovarian Tumors? Could this tumor somehow have been a factor in a recent de-clanning? We hope to gain knowledge to prevent future situations, if that's at all possible. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by 2 sisters, Tangerine & Chocolate. Thanks in advance, Keith & Luana Green Mt. Gerbils
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RW
Member
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Puppy 6/6/07
Posts: 530
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Post by RW on Jan 20, 2006 8:28:55 GMT -8
I'm so sorry for your loss. I've lost two girls to internal tumors, although not ovarian. One was on the liver, one on the spleen. The two girls were diagnosed by my vet using ultrasound. I don't know if this is a coincidence, but I recently found out that KayTee uses Ethoxiquin as a preservative in their gerbil food and treats. Ethoxiquin is also used in many dog foods and is a rubber preservative that has been linked to cancer. I fed my gerbils KayTee Fiesta from the time I got my first pair, almost four years ago. I can't say for sure whether or not that had any bearing on the tumors my gerbils got, but I no longer feed anything made by KayTee. I switched to Gerri Gerbil as my gerbils' main diet and I read the ingredient list on any other food or treats I buy. If it contains Ethoxiquin, I don't buy it. I don't know if a tumor would be a factor in declanning. Maybe a tumor could change a gerbil's familiar smell? RW
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Post by meganb52 on Jan 21, 2006 16:47:13 GMT -8
Tumors can be linked to ingestion of carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) but it can also be an inheritable trait. If I were you, I wouldn't breed any siblings of this gerbil that you may have. The fact that your gerbil wasn't feeling well may have contributed to a declanning incident, but I'm not certain that was the cause. I'm very sorry to hear of your loss regardless.
-Megan
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Post by rnltred on Jan 23, 2006 6:54:38 GMT -8
We asked the vet if it could have been caused by something she was eating or drinking and he said not likely in the reproductive tract. We also feed Gerri Gerbil and they all get filtered water. She never was bred and also asked if that might have been a cause of the tumor. No definate answer either. Thanks, Keith & Luana
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RW
Member
When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure. Puppy 6/6/07
Posts: 530
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Post by RW on Jan 23, 2006 7:47:50 GMT -8
Here's an interesting fact I just realized--all three girls (my two and your one) were nutmegs. Neither of mine were ever bred either. Probably nothing to do with anything, just an odd coincidence.
RW
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Post by rnltred on Jan 24, 2006 7:27:18 GMT -8
I asked the question about not being bred after he(the vet) remarked that "they are designed to reproduce". It made me think that perhaps not reproducing may somehow cause problems with nature's intentions, if you know what I mean. Keith & Luana
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Post by meganb52 on Jan 24, 2006 20:36:14 GMT -8
It could've been. An interesting fact in ferrets--if they aren't spayed and aren't bred, they can get an overproduction of estrogens in their body that will eventually kill them.
-Megan
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Post by sandy on Jan 25, 2006 10:57:22 GMT -8
As a matter of fact it applies to humans too. Breast cancer was once called "nun's disease" because it tended to occur in single women. Women who breastfeed have a lesser chance of getting it.
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