Message Number: YG9229 | New FHL Archives Search
From: dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2001-12-07 21:49:00 UTC
Subject: Re: To cut or Not

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "kgc4981" <kc498@h...> wrote:
> I have a decision to make and it is a hard one. If it weather or
not
> to let the vet do exploritory surgery. My 4 year old spayed female
> went off her food around Thanksgiving. The vet ran blood test and
> took x-rays. The only thing that came up was low pracreatic
enyzmes
> levels and a shadow on the x-ray at the pancreas. First we tried
> fasting and a coarse of prednisone with no changes. The vet took
> more x-rays this week and the shadow is still present, so she was
> given a injection of dexamethazone. If there is no changes in a
week
> the vet wants to cut her open. This my question; she eats a mush I
> blend up real well and her energy level isn't bad (she gets
> depressed). Should I let the vet cut or try something else?


Dear KGC -

Personally, I generally like to see more clinical signs that
inappetance prior to going in, and as most people know, I am not shy
about going in. A shadow on the pancreas could be just about
anything, and low pancreatic enzymes don't mean anything to me. If
your vet believes there is pancreatitis, there should be accompnaying
changes in the CBC, such as at least an elevated WBC count, and pain
on palpating the area.

Prior to going in on this one, I'd want at least something more
objective to go on - diarrhea, vomiting, anything. If she is eating
the blend you are making, and her stools are normal, and her activity
is good, I think we can wait a little more before going in.

Wiht kindest regards,

Bruce Williams, dVM