However, there are a number of diseases that are associated with splenomegaly and diagnostic tests should be performed to rule out these problems, the following is a list of diseases to be considered in a differential. Lymphosarcoma , insulinoma , cardiomyopathy , adrenal neoplasia , Aleutian disease, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, systemic mast cell neoplasia , hemangiosarcoma, splenitis, and hypersplenism. Splenitis has been seen in our practice and responded to a splenectomy and antibiotic therapy. Unknown etiology, but it is this author's guess that this may be early lymphosarcoma . I have had a few spiking fevers also.
Treatment is to remove the spleen.
I have done this in 1-2 cases where the ferrets were feverish with no complications. When the patient comes home it is usually best to feed him small amounts 3-4 times a day for the first day or two. Suture removal in 10-14 days. I am not a ferret expert and cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.