Message Number: SG7241 | New FHL Archives SearchFrom: sukiec@optonline.net
Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2004 17:30:04 +0000 (GMT)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Subject: RE: enlarged spleen
Message-ID: <6334813.1072978204057.JavaMail.root@indium.smartgroups.com>
Although rupture is rare when it happens it is catastrophic. Some survive it but death is common. So, when there is thought to be a risk of rupture we opt for surgery.
Other reasons we have done surgery include that the spleen was so large that it caused problems with other organ systems for example a ferret who began to need massage help passing feces through the transverse colon to the descending colon, a concern about possible malignancy: lumps or uneven margins, anemia, and a general comfort need (a really big spleen on a ferret can be like a human carrying around a 40 pound organ.
Large spleens are common in older ferrets and most here have not been any real problem, but when the surgery is needed it is just plain needed.
Send comments to Pam at pjdutche@email.unc.edu. Please note that this address is only useful for questions about the FHL archive. Questions about ferret health, or those intended for the FHL, should be sent to the Ferret Health List.