From:
steph@cosmicglue.com
Date: 2002-12-08 10:54:47 UTC
Subject: RE: distended abdomen
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <32168818.1039344887339.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Author wrote:
> Is there anyone with information concerning a disease in ferrets that causes the stomach and lower abdomen to become distended or bloate? He's much heavier and is having trouble moving from the first to second floor of his cage. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks!
Please have your vet check for an enlarged spleen. My Nyla had the same symptoms: distended, tight and hard stomach along with difficulty getting around. It had all happened very suddenly and turned out to be her spleen. It was not only on one side because it had enlarged so much that it folded and curved around and basically filled her tummy. When my vet removed it he told me it was longer than she was.
This was very dangerous because it had ruptured twice but luckily had healed. If she had had any kind of trauma to her abdomen it could have ruptured further and she would have internally bled to death.
The reason for her enlarged spleen was unfortunately lymphoma, which did end up taking her little life, but with the finding of her spleen we were able to get her on therapy and have a few more wonderful months with her.
Something like this can have many causes and the best bet is to have a detailed vet examination to determine what the cause may be.
I wish the best for you,
Stephanie
with Bullwinkle, Shasta, Maggie and Nanook
missing with all my heart Ichabod, Emeline and Nyla