From:
TikkiMite@aol.com
Date: 2003-06-06 12:17:25 UTC
Subject: Vets-Dewey-Need Input
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4673139.1054901845496.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Below are the results of tests done on Dewey. We need to know if we should go ahead with removing his spleen or if it just wouldn't make any difference for him. He is only 3 yrs of age and is just sort of here. He is bright, alert, eating, drinking but is not terribly active. Previous blood tests (which I poosted the results) have my vet worried. We are looking for some opinions.
Thanks
Terry McLaren
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