Use of a vascular access system for administration of chemotherapeutic agents to a ferret with lymphoma

Two months after initiation of chemotherapy, a totally implantable vascular access system was used for the continuing administration of chemotherapeutic agents to a ferret with multicentric lymphoma. The subcutaneously located injection port minimized the need for restraint and facilitated repeated IV administration of drugs. Treatment with a combination of L-asparaginase, vincristine sulfate, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, chlorambucil, and prednisone failed to induce complete remission. Survival time (interval from histologic diagnosis to euthanasia) was 10 months. The vascular access system remained patent and did not cause infection in the surrounding subcutaneous tissues during the 5-month period that it was in position.