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There is a good article about the spleen in the new Ferrets magazine
(Nov/Dec).  In most cases, the spleen is enlarged because it is making
red blood cells.  This is usually secondary to some other disease (ie
adrenal, insulinoma, heart, Helicobacter, IBD, etc).  It is very likely
the adrenal gland disease is responsible for the big spleen.  In some
cases lymphoma (or other types of cancer) is causing the spleen to be
big.  It would be a good idea to do that ultrasound to check the spleen,
GI tract, liver, adrenals, heart, etc and to do a fine needle aspirate
of the spleen to see what type of cells are present.
 
If needed surgery to remove the spleen and to check the adrenals can be
done.  Remember ferrets do well without a spleen.
 
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM
BTW They removed my spleen when I was 3 years old.
[Posted in FML issue 5037]