From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2002-11-10 01:37:29 UTC
Subject: Re: post-op GI surgery
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <168.16da18fe.2aff1259@cs.com>
Hi Ulrike (and everybody),
Sorry to hear about your recent loss of Zac.
I'll give you my suggestions for post GI surgery/
recovery. After hairball, foreign body, etc removal from
the stomach or intestines, I'll give Tagamet for the first
1-2 days and Carafate for the first 1-2 days. This seems
to help the stomach heal faster, reduce the nausea, and
encourage the ferret to start eating sooner. I believe the
sooner you can get them eating, the better. (This was also
the opinion of Dr Bojrab) I offer water and food (a/d) 1-2 hours
after they are awake from the anesthesia. I'll give them liquid
Carafate 10-15 minutes prior to offering the a/d. I do not force
them or syringe feed them, just merely try to get them to eat it off
my finger. Most will eat just a small amount. I'll wait another 1-2 hours
and try some more. I also put dry food (Iams kitten or whatever the
owner brings in) in with them at this time. If they do not eat any, I'll
wait a few more hours then start syringe feeding a small amount of a/d.
Again with carafate prior to the food. Most will be eating a/d or their
regular food on their own by the next morning. If your ferret likes
Gerber's baby food that can be used instead of a/d. I do not wait
12 hours because I think that is just too long for a ferret.
Just my 2 cents,
Jerry Murray, DVM