From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2003-03-07 22:01:19 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: ? about drugs vs surgery (long)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20030307170119.2bd37d76.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>
On Fri, 7 Mar 2003 07:40:27 -0800 (PST)
Anais <anaisdog@yahoo.com> wrote:
> it's the question of if surgery is the right thing to
> do.
You can't know in advance. Every surgery has risk. You look at the
benefits if it works vs. the risks and try to make the best judgement
you can with your vet. In Kodo's case we felt his life would be very
short and unhappy without surgery, so it was really his last, best
chance. In Podo's case with adrenal it was more a judgement that we had
a very strong ferret who was young for his age and who would have a very
good chance of a successful outcome. In Podo's case with insulinoma,
well... pred gave him the runs something fierce, and he had come through
the first surgery so well our vet felt he would do fine. He almost
didn't, but in the end it really turned out to be the right choice. Had
he died, though, I probably wouldn't have forgiven myself.
In the case of adrenal surgery is curative and meds simply are not. In
the case of insulinoma it's not so cut and dry. It's a tough decision,
and it's only one you and your vet can make. You have all the facts and
we don't. You know how strong Odo really is and we don't.
Also, stop beating yourself up. Odo is *old*. He has problems now
which might well be treated. He may live a good long while yet and be
happy with you. Old people have medical problems and old ferrets do
too. That's life.
All the best,
Caity and the non-stop nine