From:
NCFerretMom@yahoo.com
Date: 2002-08-23 16:38:19 UTC
Subject: Dodger - gastric distension
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <17630858.1030120699111.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Dodger is an approximately 5 year old rescue found wandering last year. I have had him about 14 months now, adopted from a shelter.
Pertinent medical history:
He is current on vaccines.(due 09/02)
When found he had a subcutaneous mass behind his left ear. It was removed and benign.
A few months ago I found him having a seizure and he was diagnosed as insulinomic. He currently gets .3 ml pred bid.
He has since also developed typical adrenal pattern hair loss and was given the 2 mg (the big Weiss dose) 1 week ago on 08-17. At that time, a physical exam by an experienced ferret owner/vet (about 3 hours away) was suspicious for a possible hairball.
The problem: Last night he had chicken gravy and was fine. About 3 am I saw him curled up with another ferret and when I picked him up, MAYBE he seemed a little bloated. About 7 am I checked on them and Dodger was hacking, trying to cough/vomit something up. No pawing or signs of nausea. He would not eat or lick more than one lick of laxatone or chicken gravy.Dodger felt cool and, although I didn't take the time to listen properly, his heart rate and rhythm was different. His blood glucose pre-pred (at home) was 83, which is WNL. I did NOT give him the pred, but took it with him.
I took Dodger to the local vet (Dr. V., also an ultrasonographer) who is NOT real ferret-knowledgable, but has treated ferrets, including mine. An x-ray showed gastric distention in the stomach. Dr. V. said his heart was also dysrhythmic, but that could be due to everything else going on. He talked to the office of my vet (Dr. G.) in San Antonio and was told Dr. G. was off today. However a ferret-knowledgable partner (Dr. P.)counseled him and recommended:
1. 25 cc sub-q fluids tid
2. .5 cc dex
3. barium swallow
He also stated that Dr. G.is extremely good at feeling hairballs and discussed the options with Dr. V.
Dodger was given the barium and Dr. P. said it should pass within 4 hours. Given the history both vets feel the risk of both the diagnostic and the surgery are minimal.
Right now Dodge has a 5 pm surgery time reserved with Dr. V., who said he feels comfortable with the surgery unless there are unforeseen complications. Dr. V. also said he understood if I wanted to drive to San Antonio. I don't because I don't want to be on the road if something happened and I can't get away from work for a few more hours.
I have confidence in this vet - he has been open to talking to experts everywhere and does telephone consults on a regular basis for me. He has even read the reams of ferret info I have dropped on his table! He knows his limitations and would not try something he was not comfortable doing. His instincts with my guys have been great and I really do trust him.
I guess I am just looking for some support and info as to wheter any of you have exerienced anything like this, have ideas or would suggest additional test, etc. I guess I should also have him draw some blood and do a CBC and/or pre-anesthesia panel. He can do these without anesthesia, as he learned that on a prior ferret!
What else? Thanks for your input.
renee :)