From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-05-16 19:30:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Thank you / Chronic Active Lymphocytic...??
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Quarrius@a... wrote:
> During the procedure, a splenic tumor was discovered, they removed
the spleen
> and biopsied it and a section of the liver.
> It was discovered that he has:
> chronic active lymphocytic portal hepatitis.
Dear Meagan -
While I'd like to hear how severe this problem is (in the opinion of
the pathologist - they usually grade it as minimal, mild, moderate,
or severe) - it usually is not a problem at all. Lymphocytic portal
hepatitis is an extremely common problem in ferrets, and is usually a
result of mild chronic inflammation of the GI tract (usually either
Helicobacter or previous ECE.) Plus an enlarged spleen may also be a
result of chronic inflammation of the GIT. You have ust hit on two
of the most common incidental findings in middle aged or older
ferrets. The third very common incidental finding is fat in the
liver - if the liver was biopsied because it was a pale tan to yellow
in color - well, then you have all of the common incidental findings.
> At least that is what it sounded like the vet said on the answering
machine.
> He says we should treat at suture removal.
Uh-uh. Can't treat it, wouldn't treat it. We'd be treating every
ferret. If this ferret develops symptomatic GI problems, then I'd
treat that, but not the liver finding.
> Prognosis? Will it effect his lifestyle? I'm lost since I can't
seem to find
> much online about it...
Well, I'd like to know the severity, but unless it is really severe,
you'll never recognize it as a clinical problem.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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