From:
ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2001-06-08 19:06:00 UTC
Subject: Surgery and Heart Disease was Re: [Ferret-Health-list]
Digest Number 229
In a message dated 06/08/01 9:15:48 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com writes:
<< My question is: Is it safe to do adrenal surgery on a ferret with
mild heart problems? Will it extend his life at all, since he has the
heart trouble? Would it be better to do the Lupron injections for the
rest of his life?
I want to do what's best for my ferret, but I don't want to put him
through surgery if he could possibly die during the procedure, or if
it won't increase his life expectancy. I do think the Lupron or
surgery would improve the quality of his life,in the long run.
>>
I have done surgery on ferrets with heart disease - but you have to
understand that any surgery comes with risk and that doing surgery on a
ferret with heart disease, even mild disease, has an increased risk over one
that doesn't. In a five year old ferret, if he were my own, and the heart
was stable (which it sounds like it is), I probably would go ahead with
surgery, but I would be prepared for possible problems. Lupron is definitely
an option.
Dr. Ruth
*****************************************
Save lives - spay or neuter your pet.