From:
Joanne Ruffner
Date: 2002-06-25 17:42:00 UTC
Subject: Swollen Spleen
I need some advice on a 3 year old ferret, Zorro. He came to the shelter (about 3 weeks ago) with recent weight loss. He seemed active and ate a lot without a problem. Lately he started sleeping all of the time. He is still eating but isn't gaining weight.
We took him to the vet again the other day because he seems to have a very hard time breathing and he is very lethargic. The vet said that his spleen was enlarged but not a big deal. The vet said he might have insoluma. Well, after doing some research I don't think he does - at least that is not the only problem. I think that his enlarged spleen is the problem.
He has a hard time breathing, fast heart beat and he is always VERY warm (though no real temp). We believe that his enlarged spleen needs to be removed...and soon. I know that if they remove it they can do a biopsy and see if there is an underlying condition like cancer.
I have placed a call into the vets office and hope to hear back from her today. Thought I would get everyones thoughts on this also. I want to do what is best for Zorro.
He is eating and drinking ok. We added a water bowl to his cage and he seems to like it better. He also loves going outside and running around...and he loves this rubber ball that he found on our patio. He doesn't chew it and it stays outside so he can only play with it when we take him out and watch him.
We just started him on some extra vitamins that we put in his water and another one that we give him by an "eye" dropper. Don't know the names off hand. We just picked them up the other night.
His fur is also very oily.
Joanne
Ferret Corner Shelter
[With those symotoms I be very careful to do pre-surgical blodo glucose testing, CBC, and at least a chest x-ray iif the little one were here . --Sukie]