An enlarged spleen can be felt by any non-professional.  It will feel like
a slightly stiff hamburger patty curving around & slightly folded in the
tummy.  Most especially, you can feel the edge of it for a few inches.
Enlarged spleens are nothing to worry about unless they're lumpy or so big
that it's pushing other organs out of place (& that diagnosis is for a vet
to make!).  Think of the spleen as a biological trash can, rounding up
leftover infection remnants & system toxins that you never have to empty
because the more trash that's chunked in it, the bigger it gets (which an
EXTREME oversimplification, for a technical definition and those who have
time, ask Bob Church.  LOL).
 
The small grape is a worrisome thing, though.  If it feels like there's a
small grape (anything from 1/4" diameter up and not squishy like a water
balloon - which is how the bladder feels) just hanging around loose in the
abdomen could be a cancer of some type.  I'd definitely get to a vet for
a qualified diagnosis on this one.
 
Debi Christy
Ferrets First Foster Home
[Posted in FML issue 3157]