From:
Ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2003-12-31 03:32:28 UTC
Subject: Re Enlarged Spleens [ferrethealth] Digest 30 Dec 2003 03:27:12 -0000 Issue 541
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <15c.2a2e212f.2d239d4c@aol.com>
In a message dated 12/29/03 10:27:53 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ferrethealth-digest-help@smartgroups.com writes:
This may be a naive question but...does an enlarged spleen actually cause
any problems? I see all these posts about them but nothing about the
effects. I have a 7 1/2 yo MF male who appears to have an enlarges spleen
(you can actually see the bulge) and I was wondering what to keep an eye
out for.
In most cases an enlarged spleen is fairly benign in ferrets - there
certainly are cases where the enlargement is due to a tumor of the spleen itself or
where the enlargement is so much that the sheer size is causing the ferret
difficulty. In those cases, removal is indicated. But in a ferret with no
breathing or moving difficulty, but who has a moderately enlarged spleen, I would
either observe for changes or possibly try a course of antibiotics in case
there's a hidden infection causing the enlargement.
Dr. Ruth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Find it. Fix it. And fly again.