From:
teri@lazykatcreations.com
Date: 2001-10-02 08:18:00 UTC
Subject: Enlarged Spleen and Heliobacter
My vet and I need some information on a couple of things...here
is the story:
My nearly two yr old, neutered/descented male ferret had to have
surgery today...last week, I noticed that he was drool more than
normal and stumbling and falling down...I first thought of
insulinoma, so I took him to my vet...The vet is great with all
animals but is learning about ferrets--especially with my
four...actually, both doctors at the office looked at Nibble...they
both agreed that he may have some intestinal blockage, gave
him an enema and dosed him with a stronger laxative than
catlax...I wish I could recall the name, but I'm not at home...they
said that his spleen was a little enlarged, but that his colon was
hard, too...so, for the next four days, I watched him and hoped
that he would poop out what was causing the back-up (my
thought was a piece of foam pillow that one of them tried to
destroy)...unfortunately, he didn't get better...his belly got larger
and he was not very comfortable...I am sure he was in pain...so,
off to the vet he goes this morning...when the vet opened him, his
spleen was so large that he had to bring it out in two pieces...he
said he touched it and it burst...it looked as if it was
rotting/disentigrating...the vet did tests and found
heliobacter...What we need to know is the best way to treat this
problem besides giving Nibble Pepto Bismol...the vet has
ordered an antibiotic to give the poor fert, but I can't remember
the name of it...I tried looking in the archives of this list, but there
isn't really anything about this particular sickness...any info you
can give me or any link that points to the info would be very much
appreciated...
Thanks,
Teri