From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-10-21 14:59:00 UTC
Subject: Re: rommel
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Sara Rose" <sdrose@e...> wrote:
> Well, I don't know how to say this but Rommel died today. He had
his adrenal surgery just yesterday and I came home tonight and found
him so cold and stiff. And it hurts so bad. I just feel like there
should have been more I could do for him and I don't know what to
do. I feel like it's all my fault for having the surgery. Or what
if the vet did something during surgery and it could have been
prevented. And the worst thought of all that I've had is that I paid
all that money (over $300) to make him better and he died the very
next day. If I didn't do the surgery, he'd probably still be alive
right now. I've never dealt with this before and my husband is on
deployment in the Meditteranean Sea and I'm doing it all by myself.
It's not fair, he was such a sweet and loving ferret who loved to
play all the time. Why?
Dear Sara:
Let me comment on this, as someone who has seen this both personally
and professionally. At a time like this, there are often no good
answers. Even in the best practices, unexpected deaths following
adrenal surgeries can happen. We do what we can to ensure it
doesn't - watch the temperature closely during and after surgery,
administer fluids during surgery, do surgery as quickly as possible
to minimize anesthetic time - even with all of these precautions, a
mortality of about 2% is generally seen.
I've probably seen it more than most - in my house, we've had
absolutely terible luck - over the years I've lost 4 out of 8 in the
24 hours post-surgery - and with the best surgeon I know.
You did the right thing in doing the surgery - it is the only
definitive treatment, and that'w what weshould do - give Rommel the
best shot at the best quality of life. I'm sure that Rommel
understands and appreciates what you tried to do for him.
Of course you are strong enough. A Navy wife (my assumption, as your
husband is in the Med) can handle anything. This is a tough blow,
but you'll weather this one.
With kinddeest regards in a difficult time,
Bruce Williams