From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2001-07-28 22:10:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Adrenal Surgery
Post-surgical discussion:
Katherine wrote:
>Yes. I separate mine for a few days until I feel
>their energy level is pretty normal. Some people
>separate until the stitches come out (10-14 days)
Yes. Around here it depends on the individual and on the behaviors
of the rest. Usually our's are separate 5 to 10 days.
>The other reason to keep them separated for a
>while is that they shouldn't climb. I have a
>single level hospital cage that I use for this
>purpose.
Yes, Strong agreed! I have heard from so many people whose ferrets
did not do well after surgery who had followed all advice except that
they let them climb. Steve and I have had ferrets for 19 years and
have never lost one post-surgically. Right after surgery we keep
them in the master bathroom with either newspaper for their pot (if
unable to get in and out of a pot), or with Yesterdays News in a low
entry pot (three styles of which can be bought from
http://www.theferretstore.com and from other places), unless more
mobility restriction is needed in which case we use a small cage with
a low entry pot or newspaper. We also have an intermediate cage with
a low second story for those ready to climb a bit (never before 5
days after major surgery) and to do a bit of socializing.
>I've never had a problem with any of mine messing
>with their incisions. And, remember, the outer
We had one situation in which one ferret removed the stitches of
another in the past, and one of our's now is a self-remover so she
gets glue as well as stitches.
>Animals make miraculous recoveries from major
>surgeries. Just spoil him for a few days and
>he'll be good as new.
Boy, is that ever true!
Don't forget about a/d or baby food "soup", where you mix it with
some hot water till it reaches around body temp and gets aromatic, or
about patient hand feeding. Hydration is important. That will help.
If no insulinoma can also mix Nutrical into water as a "broth". Also
important is providing enough bedding (and in the case of using a
bathroom also floor covering) so that the ferret doesn't chill.