From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2002-11-09 01:41:09 UTC
Subject: RE: Oscar
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <6392978.1036806069243.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Author wrote:
> Y'all may remember Oscar, my just-turned 4 year old *floppy* ferret about whom we speculated what may have caused his problems. We know that he has a very enlarged spleen, but no other problems of which we are aware. The edges of the spleen are very rounded and it is really a handful now.
> Although usually very happy-go-lucky, Oscar has slowed some lately, refusing to come down the stairs on his own and sleeping more. I will be checking his blood glucose this weekend and guess I need to go ahead and get a CBC and urinalysis on him now.
> I wasn't thinking of all this when I took all 7 in for their annual shots, but at this age is when we need to get the baselines, if I remember correctly. I don't want to borrow trouble, but what reasonable tests should I plan on doing with him? Are there special things I should consider because of his condition?
Dear Renee:
My prioritization for testing is a) blood chemistry b) CBC, and c) urinalysis. Get all if you can, butif not, I think that the chemistries give you the best bang for the buck, as they check the widest range of organs, and glucose is one of the included tests.
If he is otherwise healthy, it might be a viable time to take out that spleen - it may result in notceable improvement in attitude an activity - imagine if you were carrying around a 40 pound spleen inside you!
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM