Derek, our MF (?) male of about four, is going in for a spleen removal on
Thursday, July 8th.  The vet, Dr. R.  Dahlhausen of Cincinnati, a respected
area ferret vet, has monitored the spleen's progressive enlargement and
thinks it's time to remove it.
 
Understandably, there's personal concern for Derek.  Can anyone out on the
FML net shed any advice on the after operation recovery, care, etc?  The
little guy is reasonably active, eats well, plays with his favorite toys,
but his excess baggage obviously makes walking a bit unsteady.  He's also
sleeping most of the day, but he always has been something of a sleeper.
He has had hair loss at the base of his tail for nearly two years now and
this spring began to shed more on his rump.  The vet says he'll look at the
adrenals while removing the spleen.
 
So, any first-person accounts of experience with spleen removal would be
very much appreciated.
 
How such a little guy could capture the love of so many people attests to
what wonderful creatures ferrets are -- but then again, you all know that
or wouldn't be reading this.
 
Al Wiebe
[Posted in FML issue 2731]