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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2011 19:24:53 GMT -5
So I was weighing everyone today, and I noticed Pixie felt firm on one side. It is right below her rib cage on her left side. I think it my be her spleen. She is otherwise acting, eating, pooping, etc normally. She's been a bit lethargic, but she played very hard in the last couple days for 2-3 hours at a time. I'm just worried  |
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Post by katt on Apr 1, 2011 19:28:20 GMT -5
Uh oh. I can't help there, but I hope she is okay! |
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Post by Sherry on Apr 1, 2011 19:38:17 GMT -5
To the best of my understanding, a ferret's spleen can also enlarge for no apparant reason at all. If she's not uncomfortable, and everything else is normal, I'd not worry overly much.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2011 19:59:15 GMT -5
Enlarged spleens are common in ferrets - they tend t get them as they get older. Some speculate that spenomegaly may be due to a low-grade infection, possibly helicobacter or IBD, etc. Some believe that an enlarged spleen may be normal - a spleen can be the source for delivery of a lot of blood into the blood stream to boost fight/flight capability. Obviously, a huge spleen is problematic and can indicate trouble/serious illness.
Huge spleen can rupture. Huge spleens can sometimes be removed, and ferrets can do pretty well without them (meds need to be given.)
-jennifer
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2011 20:06:42 GMT -5
Well I wouldn't say it's huge. It doesn't project outward or anything. The area is just firm. She doesn't seem bothered by me touching the area, and there's been no grinding/pawing/shaking/etc.
If I took her to the vet for this, should I ask for some antibiotics for it? I hate using them, but would rather treat an infection now rather than cause damage.
I need to take Dixie in for her check up and distemper shot in about a month or 2, so I'd rather wait. But if it is something that needs attention now I can have the vet at my house tomorrow morning. When I have Dixie go in, I could probably just have her palpitate the vet palpitate her and then give me his opinion. But that will be in about a month or so (waiting until Dixie is close to 4-5 months old).
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 1, 2011 20:43:40 GMT -5
i would not worry unless it gets bigger and bigger. my ferret Al had an enlarged spleen for 4 years. no apparent reason that the vet could find. if you get a chance read an article online called "the enigma of fuzzy's spleen" by Bruce Williams, DVM.
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Post by Heather on Apr 1, 2011 21:26:55 GMT -5
I've seen it a number of times. I wouldn't worry as it does seem to go hand in hand with something going wrong, trying to guess and administer antibiotics as a just in case just doesn't work. I've actually seen the enlarged spleen decrease in size with no actual medical intervention. If it continues to grow, then you should probably take the little one in to have it checked as ruptures do occur, but I don't think it's hugely common. I've had one, but it was because of a tumour growth, not because of an infection.
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2011 21:39:47 GMT -5
Okay, thank you all. Pixie knows just how to worry me  |
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 1, 2011 21:42:02 GMT -5
if a ferret's spleen is really big and keeps growing it eventually affects their breathing and they also have trouble moving around. in those cases, the remedy is to remove it. otherwise, you have to be careful with accidents as a fall is probably the easiest way to rupture an enlarged spleen.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2011 21:59:26 GMT -5
I will be careful and watch her spleeny  |
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 2, 2011 11:02:43 GMT -5
btw, they say that colloidal silver is good for that. you know something, after all the crap i've been through with my ferrets, my philosphy is this: if the ferret is eating, not grinding his teeth, playing, breathing okay, pooping, no problems urinating or pooping, no blood in their poop, then i don't worry myself. if you've been around these animals long enough, you will usually know when something is wrong. there are usually subtle changes in their behavior. you seem to love your ferrets alot and i am sure you will notice if anything is "off." to me, a ferret's spleen is very mysterious. sometimes it gets big for no reason then it goes back to normal. usually it is because of an infection, but sometimes it is enlarged and there are no explanations for it. and sometimes it is enlarged because there is something else going on and it is not good. i do palpate my ferret's abdomen once every few weeks and (most importantly) i check his lymph nodes every other day to make sure they are a normal size. sometimes when you palpate their abdomen (if their stomach is full) their stomach will feel like a hard lump. then it goes back to normal after they digested their food. the next time you go to your vet, ask him to show you how to check your ferret's lymph nodes, where they all are, etc. and how to palpate their abdomen, how to identify the spleen, bladder, etc. i think it is important to know how to check your ferret yourself. if you are familiar with how your ferret's insides feel when they are normal, then you also will know when something is not right in there. early detection is key for alot of things. it sucks when your ferret has a huge lump on an xray and you discover this when he starts acting strange and not eating and you take him to the vet to be x rayed and the news is not good. |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2011 11:30:17 GMT -5
That is very good advice and I will definitely have my vet show me how to check them all out. I am planning on having him show me how to take a BG, so I will just have this to the list |
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Post by crazylady on Apr 3, 2011 17:11:32 GMT -5
Hi if she is eating playing sleeping then I would simply say keep an eye on it and leave well alone ! if it gets larger then yep have it checked with a lot of my guys the size of spleen often changes with season too ! ( males tend to have larger spleens at this time of year lol but thats males for you ) I often just simply do an old trick my father used and that was to up the good bacteria and slip them a spoon full of natural yoghurt twice per week cant do any harm and can only do good ! I used to be like you many many moons ago and would worry about the slightest thing lol its kind of strange you mention spleen because going way back I remember an old girl of mine doris I found a lump on her spleen ( she was 9 ) I went into panic mode and rushed to the vet ( my father was alive at the time ) my vet said it was not looking good and gave her three months I of course ran home in tears and went to my fathers house his response was leave well alone she is eating drinking and running around up the bacteria ! Doris didn't last 3 months she lived to be 13! lol follow your instincts you know your ferret best and a ferret tells you its ill when food isn't its number one concern lol take care bye for now
crazy lady
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2011 17:14:00 GMT -5
Thanks for that I am a bit of a worry wart at time |
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 3, 2011 19:43:41 GMT -5
with a lot of my guys the size of spleen often changes with season too ! ( males tend to have larger spleens at this time of year lol but thats males for you ) I often just simply do an old trick my father used and that was to up the good bacteria and slip them a spoon full of natural yoghurt twice per week cant do any harm and can only do good SO TRUE!! seems that my boys have always had larger spleens during coat changes. sometimes i think about stuff and it seems crazy so i don't tell anyone --it is nice to hear someone say this about the spleens because it validates my suspicions all these years. ;D ;D i give organic plain yogurt whenever i see tummy upsets and it works great. also wysong makes something called pet innoculant that is pretty good. i always keep a bottle of that for the ferrets and the dog. |
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