From:
ifixrex2000
Date: 2002-05-07 07:00:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Fasting
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "power15" <power15@y...> wrote:
> I need some quick info please. Is it normal to fast your ferret for
24
> hours to insure thier stomace is empty? I thought thier digestive
> tract was only 3 to 5 hours long?
Our vet asks that we fast for 10 hours, but I refuse to fast a ferret
with insulinoma longer than 4 hours. I make sure that I tell him
that the ferret was not fasted the full 10 hours he requested!! If
you figure the time you fast the animal, then the time they wait to
be taken in to surgery, plus time after surgery, it's just too long
for a ferret with insulinoma (in my opinion). On the other hand, you
have to take seriously the risk of regurgitation during surgery. The
vet has a good reason for asking us to fast the animal!
For whatever it's worth, we've had good luck fasting about 4 hours
prior to arriving at the vet.