From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2002-10-20 02:33:37 UTC
Subject: RE: treating splenomegaly ferret for Helicobacter
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <10560665.1035081217400.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Author wrote:
> After reading Dr. Williams articles on splenomegaly
> http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/spleen.html and Helicobacter
> http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/ulcers.html , which I have printed for
> discussion with my vet, it would seem that my ferret may be suffering from
> repeated Helicobacter infections causing the inflammatory response of her GI
> system and spleen. I am drawing the conclusion that we should treat her with
> the appropriate combination of medications for a Helicobacter infection.
> Any comments?
Dear Kara: While Helicobacter is a leading cause of splenomegaly, it is not the only cause, and there is no guarantee that treatment for Helicobacter will have any long-lasting effect on the size of the spleen. Additionally, you may treat for Helicobacter, see some shrinkage of the spllen, but when numbers increase following cessation of treatment, the spleen will quickly return to its previous size.
Treatment for Helicobacter should be reserved for animals with clinical signs of Helicobacter only - the combination of long-term flagyl, Pepto-Bismol, and amoxicillin is not without the possible side effect of causing ulcers, I generally don't recommend this approach to the treatment of splenomegaly.
with kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM