From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-11-29 22:18:00 UTC
Subject: question
Dear Cyndy:
I am afraid that my first thoughts echo one of the answers on
the FML, that this may be hypoxic damage occurring during or
after surgery. Hypothermia may also have played a part if the
animal was not monitored closely during recovery, or was
recovered outside, as you suspect. Dilated, unresponsive
pupils is very suggestive of neurologic damage, and suggestive
of damage within the brain (as both pupils appear to be
"blown").
I am not quite as convinced of a metabolic defect, and I would
be surprised and dismayed if this vet has not run bloodwork to
investigate this option. Also a blood glucose at this point
would be very informative, as the post-operative period, even
in adrenal cases, may be a time of significant blood glucose
swings. And as we all know, glucose aberrations are the most
common cause of neurologic disease in ferrets.
The bottom line is this - there can be complications after
adrenal surgery even in the best hands. But the actions of
the vet after surgery is very telling - if they are running
tests and trying hard to establish what is going on, that's
exactly what you want. But if they don't appear to be
forthcoming with information and just treading water on
getting the problem diagnosed, then I get very uncomfortable.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM
----- Original Message -----
From: Cyndy Nelson
To: Bruce Williams, DVM
Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2001 12:12 AM
Dr. Williams,
Gosh, I hate bother you! I did ask the ferret health list
first though and did some searching too.
My ferret had an adrenal glad removed, first time surgery,
right adrenal. Anesthetic went fine, surgery went fine.
The vet was pleased with everything. Was going to send
ferret home following day. The next day after about 24
hours, he wasn't doing as well. Scratching at the corner of
his cage, acting lost, and confused. The vet was going to
keep him over night again. After a few questions, I think
he kept him in the motorcoach outside, instead of inside.
(Mobile vet) I told him to keep him in. This ferret likes
to sleep in front of a blowing heater. Outside in
Washington state in November is way to cold.
Anyway, today was the day to get him back. The vet said he
wasn't doing better at all. In fact described his demeanor
as dementia and blind. I insisted that we see him. (nicely
of course) So we arranged that and the ferret is totally out
of it. Doesn't know where he is or what is going on. He
tilts his head back, way back and paws at the air, like he
is climbing an imaginary ladder. Dementia is what the vet
called it and it sure looks that way. He doesn't eat,
except for forced feedings. As far as being blind, the vet
now says he isn't sure, but his pupils are very dilated.
The ferret didn't look so bad, but didn't have a clue what
was going on around him. Normally he LOVES raisins. Begs
constantly for them. He put one in his mouth and the ferret
just held it a moment and spit it out. Very strange.
I was wondering if you had any suggestions? The vet thinks
it might be an electrolyte imbalance but didn't say how he
was going to find that out for sure or fix it. He is being
force fed baby food (chicken) and 2 other things, which I
didn't recognize. I am sure they are like the vet
equivalent to Ensure or something. Amoxicillin and sub Q
fluids are the rest of his diet for the day!
His left adrenal looked good the vet said. Oh, and he came
out of the anesthesia just fine. (Isoflorane gas)
If you are busy, please don't worry about answering. I
really hate to bother you.
..· ´¨¨)) -:¦:-
¸.·´ .·´¨¨))
((¸¸.·´ ..·´ Cyndy -:¦:-
-:¦:- ((¸¸.·´*