From:
sprite@ksu.edu
Date: 2002-09-23 16:31:53 UTC
Subject: bi-lateral adrenal and after surgeries
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <14113773.1032798713174.JavaMail.root@scandium>
After any surgery it is critical to monitor the ferret closely, but particularly so after bi-lateral adrenal or pancreatic surgery. When I monitor, I don't just stick them in a cage and look at them. It means that every few hours they are taken out of the cage or room, hand-fed recipe (I sit with them on my lap as they either lap it out of a saucer or I syringe feed them), sub-q'd if needed, and checked over for color, temperature, swelling, and facial expression/eyes. I watch for nausea and diarrhea. I do this continually for several days to 2 weeks after surgery.
If I administer pain medication, it is minimal (diluted) to only take the edge off and rarely given. I don't want dopiness to mask other symptoms.
The first night after surgery, they either stay in a cage by my bed or free-roam in the bathroom. I set my clock for every three hours to check on them as mentioned above, sometimes more often. With bi-lateral adrenals, in my experience, the electrolyte imbalance hasn't happened over-night, but instead a downward progression, though I've heard from other that their ferrets crashed suddenly. When this happens the ferret should be taken to the vet immediately or the ferret may die.
If they've had a rough night, I call our vet the next morning. If they haven't stabilized by the second day I take them in for a vet check.
Because these little ones can become depressed when separated from companions and being confined, I get them back together as soon as possible, normally the day after surgery or the next. They tend to self-limit themselves in our home so it isn't unusual for them to be free roam with the group on the second day.
tle