From:
FHbytheSea@aol.com
Date: 2003-01-09 12:30:41 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] yeast infection?/Adrenal
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <172.14a19412.2b4ec571@aol.com>
In a message dated 1/9/03 7:04:47 AM Eastern Standard Time,
cobaltlist@ciar.org writes:
<< the vet suggested (said the tech) that we do a barium x-ray to check for a
hairball, which would be $250.
Exploratory surgery would be around $600 and up, but the vet did not
suggest this (I only know it from a previous ferret surgery).
My question is this: costwise, it would seem reasonable to have her do an
exploratory surgery...would an exploratory be the best choice healthwise?
>>
Okay..what hairball? I didn't see any mention of a hairball in your previous
posts...That is what a barium series checks for.
Exploratory..hmm. If this were my vet, I would schedule an appointment to
discuss options. I would ask her - what if you find it is a diseased adrenal
gland? Do you know how to tell if the gland is affected? (I know that seems
pretty basic, but IMO this vet does not seem to be that experienced with
adrenal gland disease in a ferret). What would you do if it is a left
adrenal? right adrenal? Bilateral? If the answer to the right adrenal only is
sew the ferret up and send him home, its time to find another vet. Don't go
into surgery not knowing or trusting the expertise of your vet. I don't like
suprises.
Take your vet articles from AFIP, Ferret Central, MiamiFerret that talk about
adrenal gland disease. Reference from Dr. Fox's book Biology and diseases of
the ferret - Hillyer and Quesenberry's book....
To be honest, I would not have a lot of confidence in this vet to do this
surgery. I understand that you have a good relationship with her - is it
possible to ask her if she has any colleagues that might be better
experienced with this type of surgery? There is no shame in admitting a lack
of experience in a particular area of veterinary medicine - and would gain
volumes of respect from me by doing so.
Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
www.ferrethaven.org