From:
<grape_apes@charter.net>
Date: 2007-05-16 19:36:36 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Ventricular Premature Complexes and Splenic Tumors
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Okay. So now I have a question...
I will, of course, search the archives, but does anyone have any recent experience with ferrets with splenic tumors (still awaiting fine needle aspirate cytology) and the development of ventricular premature complexes in an animal with no previous arrhythmias or heart problems?
This is a 6.5 year-old neutered male insulinomic ferret (diagnosed a year ago-had a partial pancreatectomy at that time with a left adrenal cortical adenoma removed (he was asymptomatic for adrenal disease, and the gland had looked normal on ultrasound-it looked funky on the exploratory, so we took it out). He has been off any meds ever since. Other than one urinary tract infection when he was a year old that resolved on Clavamox, he has had absolutely NO medical problems in his life (hard to believe at my "house of other people's rejects"). I've actually had him since I got him from a shelter when he was five months old.
A few weeks ago I noticed three smallish, smooth, rounded nodules on his spleen that are more prominent with a belly full of food. Xrays were okay, with funkiness in the splenic area, and an ultrasound confirmed three rounded, unimpressive splenic tumors. We did a fine needle aspirate of the tumors and spleen last week, and are waiting for cytology results. (We did not anesthetize him for the FNA b/c last week was the first time we ever heard an arrhythmia with him, and found VPCs-he is a very good boy and didn't even react to the needle when distracted by Ferretone). The heart looked fine on echo/ultrasound, and our radiographer got some nice printouts of the VPCs and heart if anyone wants to see them (I would probably have to copy and fax them-maybe I can try to upload a photo later.) We will have these evaluated by a cardiologist.
Anyway, I know dogs can devleop VPCs with splenic tumors-does it follow that this happens with ferrets? We are currently doing our research. Thanks for any help and info!
Best,
April (vet tech and ferret owner)
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