From:
Debra Rodvelt
Date: 2003-03-05 01:08:45 UTC
Subject: Re: ferret can't urinate......catheter will help
To: motorcityferrets@hotmail.com
Cc: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <03A86044-4EA7-11D7-B3D1-003065E566BA@kc.rr.com>
I had an adrenal boy who suddenly was unable to urinate. He had
already been through two adrenal surgery (left gland), but tumors came
back on the right one. I took him to an emergency vet clinic in Kansas
City (these things always happen on a Sunday evening, don't they!)
where they aspirated his bladder but couldn't fit a catheter. The
smallest one they had was too large to fit in his prostate gland. His
potassium levels were so off the norm that they insisted I drive three
hours to K-State's vet school and admit him immediately.
Arriving at K-State at midnight, he was put into intensive care with an
IV drip and given lupron to help lower the swelling of his prostate.
It took two days for the meds to make a big enough improvement for a
catheter to be inserted. During that time the vets continued to
aspirate his bladder. On day three he was stable enough for surgery to
remove the right gland. Another couple of day in ICU for follow-up
care and he was ready to come home. No rerouting surgery was done.
After the adrenal gland was removed, he didn't have a need for
rerouting because the prostate had returned to normal size and
function. He lived another happy bouncy year and a half with no
further problems.
This might not be the best bet for a rescue because it did cost me a
small fortune. At the time, though, it was the only option I had to
save my little baby. He had already gone through so much physically
but had a spirit that wouldn't quit. I'm sure that being at a vet
school added to the cost, so it might be an option to discuss with your
vet.
Debi