http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/message/1147

If the mass is a hard lump that you can feel through the wall, it is
most likely the tail of an enlarged spleen. Often, if the hair is
sparse, you can actually see a dark mass corresponding to the hard lump
through the abdominal skin. This is a common problem in ferrets, often
as a result of GI inflammation (and as you relate, your ferret has had
reent GI issues.). Enlarged spleens most often cause no problems, but
occasionally it will result in a ill thrift, as it displaces other
organs, and rarely, less than 3% of cases, the enlargement may be due
not to inflammatory disease, but to a tumor, such as lymphosarcoma.

However, as the pictures only show a region, and not a discernable
lump to the Internet viewer, I have to recommend a trip the the vet
to check it out.

With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM


Carried to the FML by FHL co-moderator,
Sukie (not a vet)
Current FHL address:
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Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml

[Posted in FML 5513]