I am sure Deb feels pain from the unexpected loss of Scooter..

but I want to suggest something... No matter how many vets see an
animal (and this is another issue as taking a ferret to multiple vets
does cause things to get overlooked and could render an inconsistency
in treatment) the REASON for the e3nlarged spleen should have been
explored-- it sounds like none of the vets were concerned enough to
find the cause. An enlarged spleen is caused typically by 2 things..
cancer - lymphosarcoma in the spleen & therefore in the blood system -
or infection. In either case the spleen enlarges as the blood with
high number of white platelets to fight infection collects there.

A palliative course of antibiotics would have reduced the size of the
spleen if the cause were infection.... but without locating the cause
and fixing it -- it would have returned. If it were cancer there would
have been no reduction in spleen size, you could have had the spleen
surgically removed, but then the cancer would have been spread and
would have attacked another internal organ...

Deb will never know the cause of Scooters condition... but there are
lessons for all of us here with regard to enlarged spleens... they do
need consideration.

It was a tough way for a little ferret to go and a painful one. I am
sorry Deb Do be aware that your love Scooter makes no judgements in
his new spiritual home. He is still with you and does not condemn why
he left this earth. Focus on getting better and putting energy into a
good deed in his honor. Obviously, the hardest hurdle is getting over
the grief that comes with your loss.

We have gone through spleen problems over the years -- some were missed
or overlooked caused by things vet had yet to see- impacted anal
glands/ infections- that ferrets spleen was removed but he continued to
get ill.... it took 3 vets and then the third did surgery 3 times to
remove the anal glands and botched it leaving the ferret with remnant
tissue, recurring infections and hindered walking ability.for life.

Then there was the spleen that was removed with little blue spots
(lymphosarcoma--) from a tiny rescue ferret and we were told it would
be fine it was only in the spleen -- do not ever believe this one.. if
it is in the spleen which acts like a sponge the blood has circulated
in and out and carried the cancer to other parts of the body . We were
hopeful though and glad the vet did waver form his early diagnosis of
canine distemper ( she stumbled when she walked as she had a shot at a
healthy life in fact the cancer had spread to the brain.. - the very
well known vet performed both of the stated surgeries and has been
published in peer journals for studies ... texts do not always make
a great vet!

In each case the vets did the best they knew -- the biggest part of the
problem is that vets do not get a lot of ferret training in vet school.
It is up to them to learn outside of work and many are not able to for
whatever reason. There may be oth4er factors too. Certainly some vets
are highly trained and miss things... once we get through the pain we
are more apt to see that the loss of the pet may have spared them long
time suffering with a chronic or terminal illness. The lives are
fragile... and so now we need to move on to a more problematic topic..

one of how much do we treat major illnesses in ferrets?... and for
whom is it good, the ferret, the human or the veterinarian.???

Leaving you all to ponder and reflect-- but hug your precious ferret
today and thank the creator for a wonderful day. A good deed is a
wonderful thing... so do one for a ferret!

Alicia, shelter/hospice Mom
www.ferretwise.org

[Posted in FML 6082]