From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2002-11-20 00:45:01 UTC
Subject: RE: necropsy report
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <31093773.1037753101305.JavaMail.root@scandium>
> ------
> Gross Findings: On gross examination, the ferret had a yellowish
> discoloration of the liver and no other significant gross lesions. No
> tumorous masses were seen in the pancreas.
> [The histopathology report is lengthy, but I will provide it to anyone
> interested.]
> Final Diagnosis: Severe hepatic lipidosis
> Intestine, enteritis with crypt dilation and mucoid metaplasia
> Mesenteric lymphoid, suppurative lymphadenitis
> ------
> It is my understanding that fatty liver disease is usually triggered by a
> stressor and then fasting or starvation. I believe that this ferret
> continued to eat kibble through Thursday and Friday, and only stopped
> sometime Saturday. Prior to his surgery on Wednesday, the ferret was
> examined and believed to be in good health. His only possible
> symptoms--noted at the time but not considered significant until now--were a
> slight weight gain (or slight abdomen distension) and lethargy...but nothing
> more extreme than what is normal seasonal change for ferrets. Whatever
> weight he had gained, or whatever swelling was causing the abdomen
> distension, disappeared from Friday to Saturday.
> Any thoughts?
> xxxx
Dear xxxx:
The hepatic lipidosis is a common response to not eating and is not a disease state. Cats have a disease known as hepatic lipidosis; in ferrets it is just a physiologic phenomenon and not a disease. You can disregard this.
However, the changes in the intestine are interesting, and although I have not seen the slides, it sounds a bit like early ECE - the part when they are passing the really mucousy stools - but you don't mention it. Another possibility is that the pathologist may be mistaking a section of stomach for intestine -
The suppurative lymphadenitis is also interesting - it suggests active infalmmation or infection in the abdomen - possibly a severe ulcer, or perforated bowel.
However, don't dhalk this up to hepatic disease - it would be totally missing the boat.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM