Idiopathic hypersplenism in a ferret.

A 3-year-old spayed female ferret was examined because of mild icterus and massive splenomegaly. Pancytopenia was diagnosed and was unaffected by blood transfusion or corticosteroid therapy. Splenectomy resulted in resolution of clinical signs, with survival up to 20 months after surgery. Histologic examination of the spleen revealed areas of splenic necrosis and severe extramedullary hematopoiesis. The final diagnosis, based on exclusion of other causes of splenomegaly and pancytopenia, was idiopathic hypersplenism.