From:
dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2002-01-07 21:48:00 UTC
Subject: Re: fluid-filled scrotum, please help
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Marie Bartholdsson"
<mariebartholdsson@h...> wrote:
> Over the last three days my vasectomized hob, Phoibos, developed
something
> that looked like a hernia involving the left side of the scrotum.
> Phoibos will be six years old in April and he was vasectomized
early 1998.
> Ever since the operation his left testicle has constantly been
somewhat
> larger than the right one. During the winter months the right one
has not
> been visible at all while the left one has always stayed slightly
descended.
>
> Today I took Phoibos to the vet. He was neutered and the left side
of the
> scrotum turned out to be filled with fluid. I don't know exactly
where in
> the scrotum the fluid was contained. The vet did not find what's
causing the
> problem, but explained something about closing a canal of some sort
in an
> attempt to stop it from filling up with fluid again.
> But now, 7 hours after the surgery it seems to be filling up again.
I will
> call the vet in the morning if it gets worse.
> What could be the cause of this, and any suggestions on how to
treat it?
>
Dear Marie:
This is an uncommon problem in American ferrets of course, because so
few are intact. It looks like what we call a testicular hydrocele -
only one has been reported in the ferret, in association with a
testicular tumor (most cases in other species are also in association
with testicular tumors.) A testicular hydrocele is an accumulation
of fluid within the membranes surrounding the testis. In most cases
in animals, the fluid accompanies a testicular tumor, but it can also
occur if for some reason abdominal fluid seeps into the testis
through a rent in what is known as the processus vaginalis - the hole
through which the testes pass into the scrotum (which is usually
closed immediately after the testes descend.)Please have those testes
examined by a pathologist (I would be happy to do it for you).
You very well may see some fluid accumulate immediately after
surgery - you have a large potential space here which is enlarged by
the removal of the testis - I would wait for a couple of days before
panicking to see if it goes away. If not, a second surgery to go in
and resect some of the excess tissue in the surgery area and check
the processus vaginalis.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM