From:
sukieferret
Date: 2002-06-30 09:17:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Adrenal surgery - how long is the usual recovery
period?
One day is not a worry as long as she is drinking enough and eating some
and not badly lethargic.
Is she on a medication combo like Florinef and Prednisone or the alternativ=
es
(whose names escape me right now for some reason)? With a bilateral
surgery often the adrenal products need to be replaced. Some have a bit of=
tissue left and only need the meds temporarily but many need such meds
throughout life and thrive on tham. If they are needed then not getting th=
em
will kill the ferret.
If your vet has not provided the meds then call your vet to have the meds
handy Watch out for things like pronounced lethargy. Tell your vet that y=
ou
are concerned that she may at point have an Addison's Crisis. Ask about
medications such as those above. A few weeks ago a member of a different
list whose vet had not yet had one go through an Addison's Crisis
encountered that problem and the ferret did not make it which is doubly tra=
gic
because everyone (including the vet) really adored the ferret and the death=
was avoidable with medications. The vet just hadn't been prepared because=
it had not happened before.
Do take normal post-surgical precautions which have been discussed in
detail just a day or three ago (and therefore east to find at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list )
such as no climbing, isolation, a safer litter approach than nomral litters=
, or
litter pots, etc.
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Alison Wilson" <alison@d...> wrote:
> Hej,
> I´m hoping that some people who have been through this loads of times
> before, can help. My ferret who´s about 6 years old underwent bilateral
> adrenal surgery + insulinoma surgery yesterday. How long before she´s
more
> herself? She won´t eat self, but will eat a/d from a syringe. She can wal=
k,
> but is very weak. She just sleeps alot. What can I expect? She´s improved=
> from yesterday, there´s more life in her. What will happen if she´s one o=
f
> those that doesn´t make it? When do complications usually set in? What is=
> best to feed her, and how often, and what else should I be doing. Is it b=
est
> to give her peace and quiet, even though I´m so worried, or does she need=
> checking often? Anyone with any advice or tales of their own experience, =
I
> would love to hear from you. If possible, can you send me a private E-mai=
l.