From:
"Patricia Kaczorowski"
Date: 2008-07-07 10:52:04 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Enlarged spleen
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
This all depends on how big, age of ferret , underlying illness? and when examined by vet anything feel suspicious? Like mass,etc. . In an older ferret , larger spleens are quite common and not usually treated or considered a problem. I would still get a good physcial by the vet and ,maybe a CBC ( blood test ) and glucose test as routine tests for an older ferret that should probably be done anyhow. But in a young ferret- it would not be normal and this may need further work up- your vet could decide that for you.
Now, even in the older ferret it can get 'too big' -and removal may need to be considered if can improve the quality of life, like if very big and the ferret is hindered by it.
Also, if the older ferret has other issues, like IBD, wt loss, GI symptoms that may be associated with Helicobacter (a bacteria overgrowth associated with ulcers). Then perhaps a trial of antibiotics to treat lets say underlying Heclicobacter may help.
I have had three ferrets with spleens removed- and they did very well. Two were during adrenal surgery and a mass was felt in the spleen so it was removed- one was benign the other unfortunately lymphoma , the other was just because it was so big and keep getting bigger and this also was benign.
Patty
----- Original Message -----
From: autumn_whispers2me
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 12:48 AM
Subject: [ferrethealth] Enlarged spleen
Is there anything one can do for an enlarged spleen or is it just something the ferret has to
live with?
Ella
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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