Hi folks!  I just wanted to share a recent experience with one of my carpet
sharks.  Clyde was my first fuzzbutt, is about 2 1/2 and loveable as can be.
One about a week and a half ago, he became very listless.  We took him to
the vet, and he was diagnosed with pancreatitis.  The vet perscribed
anitbiotics, and we started him on that regimen.
 
He seemed to be responding to the medication at first.  Then, a couple days
ago, he stopped eating.  We went back to the animal hospital, and ended up
seeing a different vet.  He thought maybe Clyde had an intestinal blockage.
I left him for the afternoon, and he ran several tests.  No blockage showed
up, and we had to wait a day for the blood test results.  The next day, the
results came back.  His white cell count was REALLY elevated, and his liver
enzymes were high.  The vet was very concerned, and he did his best to let
me know what it could be, even the worst case lymphoma.  I was hoping
against hope that it wasn't lymphoma.  Then we took him back Friday nite at
the vet's request, so he could try to make him eat.
 
Well, yesterday, he did an exploratory to look for any signs of lymphoma.
What he found was Clyde's spleen was 5-8 times normal size.  He removed the
spleen.  It had been putting pressure on Clyde's stomach, and he thinks that
affected his appetite.  Now, I was very impressed, because this vet asked if
he could take Clyde home last night and tonight to watch his recovery.  Of
course, I said it was fine.  I am waiting today to hear from him, and hoping
Clyde will start eating again.  His cagemate, Jax, is very lonely and
depressed with Clyde gone.  He was very nurturing when Clyde got sick,
always snuggling with him and watching over him.  The initial news yesterday
was good.  The vet said Clyde recovered from the anethesia well, and was
fairly alert.  So, any prayers would be greatly appreciated... I was also
wondering if anyone else had a ferret whose spleen has been removed, and
what happens afterward..
 
Thanks,
C J, and the Carpet Shark Patrol (Clyde, Jax, Clovis, and Baby)
[Posted in FML issue 1988]