From:
Jen & Andre
Date: 2002-02-27 09:10:00 UTC
Subject: Surgery options for botched anal gland removal?
The exotics vet that looked at my ferret said that the
abscess we saw last weekend could have been caused by a
leftover piece of anal gland, but it might not. It may have
been infection from the surgery itself, or maybe something
else... He's hoping that it isn't leftover scent gland because
he said that to go in looking for a little piece of leftover
tissue is difficult, and risks damaging a nerve, leaving the
little guy incontinent. I don't believe that it could be
anything but anal gland, because when the abscess broke, the
smell was that of anal gland.
He wants lo leave it to see if the abscess returns. His first
line of action for this is to lance the abscess and give
antibiotics at that time, hoping to clean out the gland
remnant so that it can heal up without taking it out.
To the ferret owners: Have you had treatment for a ferret for
this problem? Were there complications?
To the vets: Is this really that risky/difficult a surgery?
Are there any suggestions for preforming this?
I want to be sure we are making the right decisions because I
am hoping to be reimbursed by MF. I would expect things to get
complicated if we tried one thing that didn't work, followed
by something else.
Jen