From:
ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2001-03-05 14:49:00 UTC
Subject: Pain Medication was Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Digest Number
35
In a message dated 03/04/01 11:36:08 PM Eastern Standard Time,
Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com writes:
<< > About pain relief after spays... I ask not to give pain medication after
> spays. Even the vets said that they get way less problems with cats and
bitches if
> they don't give painkillers. For example the animals are less likely to go
> ahead and take stitches out. If the animal is in a bit of pain, at least
> she will be quiet so the wound can suture. >>
Hmm. I find that pain medication lends itself to my post-surgical patients
doing better, rather than worse. I rarely have an animal remove it's
sutures, whether or not I've given pain medication, but their breathing is
more regular, they eat more readily and in general seem more comfortable.
Rabbits are *very* prone to removing their sutures, and I tend to do a double
layer of skin sutures in them. That way by the time they are done removing
the first set, the second set has been holding long enough that the skin has
healed.
JMO, of course, but I would be reluctant to withhold medication for pain on
the off-chance (and the theory) that feeling pain is good for the animal.
Dr. Ruth
*****************************************
Save lives - spay or neuter your pet.