From:
"Shirley Hewett"
Date: 2007-06-09 11:43:55 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: large spleen
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
If a spleen is enlarged, I don't think that the knee-jerk reaction
should be to remove it. First, the vet should look for the cause.
There are a few reasons for an enlarged spleen, but a supressed bone
marrow production (causing more red blood cells to be produced in the
spleen) and chronic infection are the most common causes. Periodontal
disease is often the culprit of chronic infection. Is your vet able to
examine for gum disease? Has he/she done any other tests?
If a ferret with an immunosuppressed bone marrow has the spleen
removed, it could cause serious problems. If no reason can be found
for the huge spleen, surgery may be the only answer.
I hope that may help and not confuse.
Shirley
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "echotally" <momma.allen@...>
wrote:
>
> I have recently rescued two more ferrets, one is a 3 year old who is
> otherwise healthy but with a huge spleen, which seems to hinder him;
> he will try to play and after a little while need to rest. My vet
> helped me feel around the borders of the spleen and it extends from
> just below his left lower rib all the way down. I am inclined to agree
> that it needs to be removed but are their complications? A friend who
> is very ferret knowledgable is having a fit, says that I cannot allow
> it or he will not survive the surgery. Other than this he is alert,
> happy, eating and drinking well.
>
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