From:
Debbie Utter
Date: 2001-09-21 22:44:00 UTC
Subject: Primary Splenomegaly: Update
I'm late with the update I promised..... I wanted to let
everyone know that Brae has an appointment Tuesday morning to
have his spleen removed. I called the vet's office and told
them I wanted to schedule surgery now because he was keeping
so little of his food down. The vet was hoping to get a
ten-day regimen of antibiotic in him first to get rid of any
infection there might be, but it's so heartbreaking to watch
him eat, and before he even finishes his small meal, his body
is already rejecting it. The vet could've performed the
surgery Monday afternoon, but they would've kept him overnight
because there wouldn't be much time to watch him after the
surgery. I figured it would be less stressful on Brae to have
him home.
I understand a splenectomy is not a difficult surgery, as
surgeries go? About how long will he be "under"? More
important, what can I expect post-surgery? I've never gone
through a surgery with a ferret before.... I assume I'll need
to continue frequent, small feedings of ground, moistened
kibble? Or will he feel so much better having that monstrous
spleen removed that he'll be back to whole, dry kibble? How
do I keep him from trying to remove the stitches, or scratch
at the incision?