From:
s.m.owens@rogers.com
Date: 2004-10-12 11:29:39 UTC
Subject: Please post to FHL for me
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <24152206.1097582104674.JavaMail.nobody@magnesium.smartgroups.com>
-----Original Message-----
From: suzi lambert [mailto:suziq-rn@comcast.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2004 4:58 AM
To: Owens,Suzanne,MISSISSAUGA,Product Supply Mississauga; Suzanne
Permission to post by Suzi Lambert
I am sorry this is so long, but I would like some suggestions please.
My Ruby had surgery on tuesday Oct. 5th, left adrenalectomy, nodules removed on her pancreas and a biopsy of the mesenteric lymph node.
Everything was sent to biopsy. Still waiting for results.
One week prior to surgery she had a CBC, CMP, blood glucose and x-ray done. All checked out well.
The first day post op at the vets, she was doing well and eating on her own. The 2nd day she developed a 105.2 fever and stopped eating and was lethargic. She received IV fluids, amoxicillin and perked up by that late afternoon.
I went to pick her up that afternoon and brought a bottle of baby food with me. She ate the whole jar while I was at the vets and seemed much better. She had her glucose checked and it was normal.
Took her home on thursday. She did well thursday night.
Friday morning she was very lethargic and wouldn't eat or drink. So we went back to the vets and he did a CBC, CMP and blood glucose. Her blood glucose was high, 200, but I had scruffed her and gave her ferretvite before the office visit. Her blood work came back normal. Her surgery site looked good. While there at the vets, she perked up and started eating her baby food on her own (from my finger) But she had a strange bruise that wasn't there before. It is on the underneath of her neck and we didn't know where it came from. It wasn't there after the previous blood work last week or right after surgery. But since she was showing a marked improvement with her energy and eating on her own my vet allowed me to take her home.
Sat afternoon she would not eat or drink again and was lethargic.
I have been feeding her baby food and giving her water from a eye dropper every 2 hours. I had to scruff her and rub the food on her teeth and gums with my finger. She started grinding her teeth that day.
Sunday she went to the local vet (not the one that did the surgery, because he was closed) for sub q's and carafate. I prefer my vet who did the surgery because he is very experienced with ferrets and the local vet really isn't. But they are good for simple things. I asked for the carafate and also noticed that she was tenting when pinched before the sub q's.
I have been giving her amoxicillin since surgery and carafate since sunday.
Sunday she threw up once after I gave her the amoxicillin. After that, I give the carafate 20 min. before I try to feed her. Seems to help. She hasn't thrown up again.
I am syringe feeding her and giving her water through a eye dropper around the clock.
It has been a struggle getting her to eat and drink.
She is being fed chicken baby food, ground up kibble and ferretvite mixture.
Moday morning she had one black tarry stool. I called my vet who did the surgery and gave him a full condition report. We have a appointment today the 11th at 3 pm.
The black tarry stool worried me, bleeding ulcer maybe.
Monday night she had 2 more stools. These were brown and semi formed.
Monday night she seems to have taken a turn for the better slightly. Energy level slightly improved and she actually licked the baby food mixture off my finger on her own. Her tenting is also improved.
But that brusied area on the under part of her neck is swollen slightly. It is protruding slightly and feels like a shallow lump. It is about size of a half dollar, but slightly smaller. The actual bruised color has faded and there is no other bruises or marks anywhere. I don't know what this is and it worries me. That's why I asked about DIC.
Her surgery site looks really good. Abdomen is not swollen or distended.
I am going to ask for sub q's, maybe Reglan, a CBC, CMP, blood glucose and PCV's while at the vets, anything else I should ask for? Of course my vet will probably allready want to do all this.
If anyone has any feedback, comments or help, please let me know.
I am very worried about her.
Thank you
suzi