Message Number: SG6781 | New FHL Archives Search
From: AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2003-11-30 02:13:02 UTC
Subject: Re: Enlarged spleen
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <f2.342c798b.2cfaac2e@cs.com>

Hi Lad,
Enlarged spleens are common in ferrets. Most
of the time it is just the spleen making red blood cells
(extra medullary hematopoiesis) or responding to an
immune stimuli (Helicobacter, AD, or bacteria). It can
also be enlarged from cancer (Lymphoma) or from
hypersplenism. If it gets big enough then remove it.
The spleen is part of the immune system, so do not
remove it unless it is necessary.
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM