From:
Brett Middleton
Date: 2001-04-06 13:46:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Temp. control during surgery
"Shirley Hewett" <smhewett@b...> wrote:
> This is something I have pondered for a long time. A ferret's core
> temperature drops during heavy sleep and metabolism slows. Why do
> they need to be warmed during surgery when it is one time that a slow
> metabolism would be a good thing?
Because it may not be a good thing. Hypothermia puts stress on the
cardiovascular system, constricts blood vessels, and reduces the amount
of oxygen reaching the tissues. Studies have shown that preventing
hypothermia speeds healing and reduces the chance of infection of the
surgical wound.
> I have 2 favourite vets. Vet A puts ferrets on a warming pad to
> operate and Vet B doesn't. Vet B undertakes more adventuresome
> surgery than Vet A but has fewer post-op complications. Any thoughts?
It could be that vet B is just a better surgeon, which is why s/he is
willing to do more difficult procedures and has better results.
Perhaps vet B just really likes surgery and has spent more time
developing surgical skills, just as other vets prefer pathology or
anesthesiology or some other aspect of medicine. Aside from the
heating pad, are there any other differences in technique, equipment,
post-op care, etc.?
Brett
*SLMW 1.0* "I gotta sheepskin; I gotta license!" -- Dr. Daffy Duck