From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-10-02 11:47:00 UTC
Subject: Re: re:fluid in abdomen (vets too please)
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Steph" <rumtum99@s...> wrote:
> Hi,
> This is third hand, so I do not know if I have all of my facts
straight. My neighbour just returned from Prague, Czech. from
visiting a friend with a ferret. There are not a lot of ferrets
there, so the vet is unsure how to proceed. The abdomen is really
swollen. Some fluid with lipids was drawn off. My first thought was
cardiomyopathy, but apparently x-rays show the organs as normal.
> I have attached a picture of the ferret, who looks like he also has
adrenal disease, but I would assume at this point that is not his
primary problem. The friend is looking for any information as how to
proceed. I am sorry that I do not have anymore information.
> Thank you,
> Steph
Dear Steph:
Your first thought is a very good one. We would need more
information about the x-ray findings to discount heart problems.
When the heart gets weak, fluid backs up into the abdomen.
Two other possibilities are abdominal neoplasia, and most remotely, a
condition called chylous ascites, in which a fat-filled fluid
precipitates out into the abdomen - very rare.
At this pint, more information on the X-rays, an analysis of the
analyzed fluids to include protein level, cell count, and cell
analysis, and routine bloodwork would be the way to go. I realize
that we are dealing with Czechoslovakia, so echocardiography of the
heart is probably not available - but with this guy lets check the
heart first, the heart second, and the heart third.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM