From:
dbrn2@aol.com
Date: 2001-11-29 05:59:00 UTC
Subject: ferret with dementia
I'm so sorry to hear of your ferret's problem. The condition you are describing sometimes occurs with humans post op who have had a decrease or interruption of oxygen to the brain during surgeries. I personally have worked with about a dozen patients over a 20 year ICU nursing career with this condition. The fixed dialated pupils are a sign of neurological damage. The optic nerve, which controls vision, is very sensitive to decreased levels of 02 in blood because it is a highly vascular area. Unfortunately, the condition is permanent. It is a dementia that is induced by lack of 02 to brain. stroke patients sometimes will exhibit the same thing, due to the interruption of 02 rich blood to the brain.