From:
Ferret Wise Shelter
Date: 2003-12-30 18:32:48 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: Enlarged spleen????
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <5.1.1.6.2.20031230132739.025669c0@mail.usaexpress.net>
Many posts about enlarged spleens and removals BOTHER ME- just plain bother
me-0 in mopst cases it appears the cause for the infection IE enlarged
spleen, enlarged nodes etyc was not even investigated. This can be
dangerous ,IMO, as the source of infection is never pinpointed thus the
ferret(s) can still have the underlying cause for the enlarged spleen &
nodes. We have travelled this route adn the animal later had repeated
surgeries ad lingering poor health BECAUSE the sourece of infection was
overlooked by several vets.
Ferret Caretakers - IF your ferret has an enlarged spleen , enlarged nodes
or both - PLEASE CONSIDER INFECTION first, lymphoma or other cause second...
A course of antibiotics will not hurt your pet but may be a saving grace
rather than ripping functioning organs out one at a time with no conclusive
results, and perhaps no health gain!
Once a spleen has been removed- it cannot be replaced and it does indeed
provide necessary functions in our pets.
It may save more extended illness in your pet.
Alicia at Ferret Wise
www.ferretwise.org