From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2002-11-06 00:04:32 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Adrenal Surgery Cost/Vet Recommendation
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Cc: sgoettsc@nycap.rr.com
Message-Id: <20021105190432.4f367ac0.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>
Hi, Stephanie,
>
> Can someone please give me an idea of the cost of adrenal surgery?
It varies quite a bit with where you are.
> Both regular and cryo surgery?
Our vet doesn't believe much in cryo any more. He does "regular"
surgery. I think the only vet who did cryo in our area has moved to
another part of the state. So... it ranges from $350 to $700 -- the
minimum figure is a routine left adrenal surgery (the most common) and
the maximum figure is a difficult bilateral adrenalectomy with an
overnight at the emergency clinic our vet is associated with. None of
my ferrets have had both glands out at once and all have come home that
night, so it's always been under $600 for us, even when it's a right
adrenal with vena cava ligation.
> To compare it would be useful to know
> what was included in the cost of your surgery (pain meds, fluids,
> histopath, etc.)
All of the above. The numbers I am quoting are all-inclusive.
>
> I am planning to have the surgery done but my current vet is very
> expensive across the board and I only know of her clinic in the area
> that treats ferrets and am looking to expand my options a little if
> possible.
If it comes down to a choice of an expensive but very skilled ferret vet
and an inexpensive vet with less experience with ferrets I would never
go with the cheaper option for adrenal surgeries. In 20% of cases you
are dealing with a right adrenal surgery or, worse, a bilateral adrenal
surgery. Right adrenalectomies are difficult for the vet because the
gland is attached to the vena cava -- the main vein to the heart.
They're also pretty hard on the ferret. If it's a right you want a vet
with a lot of experience and success with that surgery to give your
little weasel the best possible chance.
All the best,
Caity and the non-stop nine