Message Number: SG5867 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "Roger Vaughn"
Date: 2003-08-24 03:56:32 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Lymphoma
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <1436.192.168.132.34.1061697392.squirrel@mail.seaconinc.com>

> throat and chest. They suspect it's lymphoma. They said to take a
> sample too see if it it but if he goes under anestesia , he might
> not come out. So, I'm a wimp and do not want to loose him. ?????

There's *always* a risk that *any* animal, including humans, may react
to or fail to come out of anaesthesia. That's just one of the
unavoidable risks of surgery. Unless you have some reason to consider
Baka at special risk for this, for instance if he has reacted to
anaesthesia before, it's a small risk, particularly when compared to
the potential benefit.

Look at it this way. If you don't have this procedure done, your vet
will not be able to get the sample to determine what is wrong, and
will therefore be unable to do much to help. If lymphoma is
suspected, that's the kind of thing you really want to know for sure.
If this is something correctible instead, you definitely want to find
out so you can help him before it's too late.

It's a chance you take when you're trying to help. Several of us here
have lost ferrets during and after "routine" surgeries to various
complications, including anaethetic reactions, intravascular clotting,
DIC, etc. But I think I can safely say that in the same circumstances
many if not most of us would do it again. It's simply this - in these
circumstances, if you don't take that surgical risk, there's no hope
of curing the problem.

I can't and don't want to make your mind up for you. You have to
decide what's best for you and Baka. But hopefully this will give you
something to think about.

roger & the wolverine wannabees
missing bear and lancelot