From:
sukiec@optonline.com
Date: 2003-01-07 20:40:05 UTC
Subject: RE: Clyde's Upcoming Adrenal Surgery
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <12457159.1041972005189.JavaMail.root@scandium>
In case one adrenal is atrophied or both come out the vet needs to have Florinef and Prednisone on hand or Procorten and Pred on hand, and needs to run electrolyte tests.
Usually, especially when a ferret is older we have pre-surgical testing (CBC with blood chemistry, blood glucose, chest x-ray, etc. done with the type depending on the patient).
If you don't let the ferret overdo it and protect the ferret by not letting the individual climb (even ramps) and using paper instead of standard litters while the incision is open, keep the ferret hydrated, and otherwise follow good post-surgical procedures all should be fine.
Ask the vet beforehand what the vet's own experiences are for survival rates and healign times.
We have never lost a ferret during or after adrenal surgery, and that is in over 20 years.
I am sure that others will share more tips with you and hope that they will post them here so that people looking up post-op care can learn more when they go to the archives, too.
With the amputaiton, watch for post-op infection and for tissue retraction. We've found that having as thick a tissue pad as possible is important when ferrets have amputations to avoid exposing bone as the tissue retracts and later needing a further surgery.
I'm not a vet. Figured I'd mention that again.