From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2003-02-25 04:02:44 UTC
Subject: RE: Hard Belly
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <14414121.1046145764887.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Dear Vex:
There are a number of possibilities her, and your trip to the vet is a great idea.
What would top my list is not unexpected - excessive fat in the abdomen and a large spleen to give the abdomen a hard feel - both are very common in geriatric ferrets. That's the best possibility, and not too terribly remote.
Of course, any abdominal swelling in an older ferret warrants a good look at the heart, as ascites is also a very common finding- the result of fluid accumulation in the abdomen from a failing heart. tumors are a more remote possibility, but should not be ignored - they too can result in fluid accumulation in the abdomen.
I am somewhat more concerned by your mention of previous adrenal neoplasia and your ferrets current diffiulties with urination. Recurrent adrenal tumors may accomplish syndromes that the original tumor could not - in this case, possibly prostatic cysts which are compressing the urethra and making it difficult to urinate. Something else that bears examining as soon as you can get him in to see your vet.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
Author wrote:
> I have a concern that has been on going for about one month now. My foster ferret is going in for blood tests help determine what seems to be causing his belly to look bloated and hard.
> If you hold him up he looks like a bowling pin...I was thinking it was fat although it is firm to touch and seems tender. He is 8 and a half and has had bi-lateral adrenal surgery about one year ago. He has been on lupron for about one year because the right acted up again. He also has a mass cel on his right ear that was trouble about 4 months ago but has not bled since. I am hoping it is nothing although I fear that tumors are growing or the age has hit him. I know that the adrenal maybe getting stronger cause the symptom of trickled pee and frequent pees are becoming more present although again this concerns me to something pushing on his bladder. He walks kinda wobbled because of the large tummy. His eating petterns seem to be the same, play is normal for an elder, sleep seems to be increased some though. I love this lil man and hope that he is not in pain. He should be going in for tests this week.
> Sorry for the babble just eager to calm the discompfort and allow him to be at peace one more.
> Sincerely Vex