>An ultrasound showed that Newton's spleen looks like swiss cheese.  I've
>looked up lymphoma and splenomegaly but I haven't come across anything
>about a spleen full of holes.  There isn't a bit of it that doesn't look
>like a very coarse sponge, would the spaces ("hypoechoic") be destroyed
>tissue?  tumors?  Has anyone seen this before?
 
Dear X - Ultrasound is a poor diagnostic test to use on a spleen.  Many
appear to have holes, as the spleen is composed of red pulp, which is
loosely arranged and largely filled with blood, and while pulp, which
are dense areas of lymphocytes which surround blood vessels.
 
While there may be processes which accentuate this pattern in an enlarged
spleen, such as splenic infarcts, or tumors, it is very difficult to tell
what is going on by ultrasound, and even more difficult to tell by a
description of one.
 
If the spleen is enlarged to the point where it is causing the ferret
problems in eating or moving around, then have it removed and examined by
a pathologist.  That's the best way to help the ferret and get the answers
that you need.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3600]