From:
ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2001-11-15 15:47:00 UTC
Subject: To cut or not to cut
In a message dated 11/15/01 12:17:03 PM Eastern Standard Time,
sukiecrandall@telocity.com writes:
At what point do you opt for exploratory sx VS medical therapy
with ferret GI dz?
That's a toughy. Obviously with vomiting, etc, you cut. A case
like the one you describe, I'd probably recommend surgery as the
best option. However - with relatively normal rads, a ferret who is
not crashing, no obvious FB palpable or visible... well, I've seen
several of these get better with aggressive fluid therapy and
nutritional support, plus ulcer treatment. Bloodwork is always a
really good idea, and I highly recommend in-house labs if at all
possible. Obviously not possible in this situation, though.
Pancreatitis - I've seen it too. Once. I don't tend to worry about
it too much in ferrets.
It sounds like you definitely took the best course of action given
the situation you had. I am a little curious about using both Pepto
and Pepcid - I tend to use one or the other.
Dr. Ruth
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