From:
julie_fossa@yahoo.com
Date: 2006-05-16 16:50:34 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: spontaneous internal bleeding?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Becki, there could be a lot of things going on at the age of eight. Several of my elderly ferrets have spontaneously developed a black stool overnight, just prior to passing.
That said, there are likely other things going on as well, I would suspect. If Erin is experiencing adrenal signs, it can affect the blood and it's ability to clot, as can at least one type of lymphoma.
Something as simple as a fall, from furniture if she climbs, or in her cage if it's multi-level, could injure her spleen causing some internal bleeding. I had one little ferret whose spleen was broken completely in half with the bottom part free-floating in the abdomen.
Also, as ferrets age, and especially if there are adrenal signs present, the skin can 'thin', letting the spleen show through. If you feel a firmness under the 'bruised' area, especially if you can sort-of move it around with gentle pushing from one side at a time, it is likely the spleen that is causing a bruised appearance. This sounds very likely as you describe it as 'midsection, down, and 1/2 inch across'. The spleen normally lays along HER left side when laying on her back on your lap. I have seen some ferrets, that as the spleen enlarges, it appears to move to a more central location, but it will still be a long, narrow organ with a firm feel below the skin. Be gentle while checking as you don't want to injure it.
If you continue to get black tarry stools, she should be started on the Carafate. Sometimes they have some stomach bleeding, but if they are eating well, the blood can be 'diluted' and hidden in the stool so you don't really notice it. If they skip a meal, it shows up more. This may be why you are only seeing it intermittently. Just my guess.
A vet visit could help identify what is going on. Congratulations on her reaching 8 years of age!
Julie
Author wrote:
> Erin, my 8year old MF female, tonight, developed a red bruise, from her midsection, down, and 1/2inch across. erin's also been giving me, off and on, bloody stools, in that it was digested and black blood when it came out. she's had no physical trama that I know of (but my dog could have stepped on her, though in 6.5 years, she's shown NO agression). erin is showing no signs of pains. she's been exposed to raven, > whatever could cause spontaneous internal bleeding? and yes, of course i called my dr but he is not an emergency vet and we have no emergency vets that know about ferrets.
> thanks in advance
> becki kain, raven and erin
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