Message Number: YG13592 | New FHL Archives Search
From: ferretsonly
Date: 2002-06-05 22:24:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Please help - lethargy, enlarged spleen, adrenal on
lupron

Stephanie,

Have you had Nyla's heart checked *carefully*?

The clues that I would extract from your post are:

*red blood count is low
*lethargy
*blood tests, all have come out inconclusive
*spleen getting bigger each day
*spleen biopsy came back negative for anything abnormal
*4-5 years old
*totally flat ferret

While you said the heart sounded good, these symptoms are all too
familiar. I would highly recommend an ultrasound or EKG for your kid.

Schultz had a huge spleen and all the tests were negative. It was a
life or death issue so I had it removed. It was a 10 ounce totally
normal spleen engorged with blood. Within one month, Schultz gained
back the 10 ounces he lost from taking out the spleen and he felt
much better.

One month after surgery, I noticed he was breathing hard. I listened
to his heart and found a problem that had eluded both my vet and I.
His heart wasn't functioning correctly which allowed blood to pool in
his spleen. With the help of Enacard, Schultz lived for 32 months
post surgery, that is without a spleen and with his heart problem.

Please, please get his heart checked again.

-Carla