From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2004-01-01 17:38:36 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: enlarged spleen
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Cc: sukiec@optonline.net
Message-Id: <20040101123836.7ac5b5b0.caitlyn@mizuhoradio.com>
On Thu, 1 Jan 2004 17:30:04 +0000 (GMT)
sukiec@optonline.net wrote:
>
> and a general comfort need (a really big spleen on
> a ferret can be like a human carrying around a 40 pound organ.
This pretty much described where Kodo was. Our vet estimated that his spleen could have been a third of his body weight. It was definitely causing mobility problems and just before we started treating him with antibiotics he was straining to pass feces.
>
> 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.
I know I've posted about this before, but I do want to bring up non-surgical alternatives. In Kodo's case (he's nine and also has insulinoma) our vet was convinced that surgery would kill him. That is why we started treating with antibiotics. In ferrets who are just not surgical candidates this seems to be a good option as the antibiotics help with the underlying infection causing the spleen to be enlarged. In Kodo's case a regimen on .25ml Clavamox drops twice a day for three weeks on, two weeks off, seems to be working well. He goes back to the vet Monday as his spleen is getting big again and it will have been two weeks off again at that point.
I should point out that we aren't terribly concerned about long term consequences of continued antibiotic use. Kodo's age and other medical issues make it rather unlikely that he has a long term to worry about. Also, the improvement in quality of life has been dramatic.
All the best,
Caity and the amazing eight