Message Number: SG4814 | New FHL Archives Search
From: TikkiMite@aol.com
Date: 2003-06-03 22:10:39 UTC
Subject: RE: Dewey. She will be watching for any answers. I would like the input also in case I have to pass it along to the second vet on staff.
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <8049712.1054678239993.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

We did an Ultra Sound and a bone marrow biopsy on my little Dewey man and did not want to proceed with removal of his spleen until I got input from vets here. Now the issue is that my vet is about to have a baby (very soon) and we need input as soon as possible. The results of his tests are as follows:

Bone marrow biopsy on Dewey:
low cellularity, consist of widely scattered erythroid and myeloid precursors on a background of blood and lipid. Bone marrow particles are not present. The low cellularity of these preps makes intepretation difficult. This could be due to lack of precursors in the bone marrow, as seen with aplastic anemia, or inadequate sampling. Based on the CBC, aplastic anemia is suspected. Aplastic anemia is most commonly associated with prolonged estrus in intact females. Aplastic anemia in neutered males is much less common, but has been reported due to hypersplenism, a rare diagnosis in ferrets that is usually associated wiuth other clinical signs (anorexia, fever). Re sampling on the bone marrow is recommended.

Ultrasound results on Dewey: Spleen was generally enlarged with a focal hyperechoic lesion noted and what appeared to be a small amount of associated peritoneal effusion. rest normal - no lymphadenopathy noted.

Dx: irregular splenomegaly with a hyperechoic nodule and pancytopenia - consider hypersplenism of ferret vs neoplasia such as lymphoma

Probably the best thing would be to e-mail my Vet at her office.
At: linnah@earthlink.net
I really appreciate the help I've gotten here in the past.
Thank You all
Terry McLaren
TikkiMite@aol.com

End of ferrethealth Digest
***********************************