Message Number: YG645 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Dr. Bruce Williams
Date: 2001-03-03 21:47:00 UTC
Subject: Re: question regarding fasting before surgery

Dear Sue -

A fast of 4 hours is probably appropriate for most animals. The GI
transit time of healthy ferrets is significantly less than dogs and
cats, for which an 8 hour fast is appropriate. The ferret stomach
usually empties in 90 minutes, but the extra time is probably
warranted, and will not cause any adverse effects.

Fasts should be no longer than 4 hours for any animal with a history
of hypoglycemia.


With kindest regards,

Bruce H. Williams, DVM
Join the Ferret Health List at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-
Health-list



--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "sue" <ferret@i...> wrote:
> I am a bit confused and want to always do what is right. When I
first started with ferrets, they actually had me stop all food and
water after 6pm in the evening and the ferret was going in for
surgery at 9am the next morning.
>
> Lately, I have been doing 4-5, maybe 6 hours before surgery , will
give duck soup. How many hours before surgery should food and water
be taken away? Also, just because they are to be in at 8am doesn't
mean surgery is being done at that time. I always ask to get a better
idea of the actual time for surgery.
>
> sue