From:
Melissa
Date: 2001-09-20 05:19:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Primary Splenomegaly; have to go
back to rule out insulinoma or ?
--- Debbie Utter <dutter@n...> wrote:
> I just wanted to share what's going on with my 4yo
> male, what today's bloodwork/x-rays show, ...
Today's x-rays showed an EXTREMELY large spleen.
> This thing is taking up practically the entire
> abdominal cavity! That's probably what's causing
> his discomfort and the vomiting.
----------------------------------
Dear Debbie:
Here's my non-vet advice -- just take the spleen out
*now*.
One of my ferrets had the same thing happen - not
eating, vomiting, etc. Absolutely nothing was wrong
with the spleen itself or with any other organs (at
least that any test showed.)
When the spleen grows so large that it pushes the
intestines over to the side and pushes on the stomach,
the ferret cannot really eat or digest food -- he will
grow weaker and weaker from lack of food. He probably
needs to be supported with injected fluids so that he
does not become dehydrated.
Even if the spleen enlargement is caused by some other
medical problem, I know of nothing medical that can be
done to "shrink" the spleen size as the other issues
are looked at. It follows, then, that there is
nothing to be gained by waiting to do further tests.
Also, additional bloodwork is probably not necessary
at the time of surgery (unless your vet finds
something unusual when he initiates surgery) and may
further drain the energy of an already weak ferret.
While I think your vet is being cautious, and caution
is a good thing, his reluctance to remove the spleen
immediately is somewhat odd and tends to suggest a
certain level of unfamiliarity with ferret illnesses.
My best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Melissa
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