From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2004-06-16 14:43:32 UTC
Subject: RE: Hilbert update (retained fetal characteristic formed auxiliary bladder causing blockage and bilateral hydronephrosis)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com, ferret-list@cunyvm.cuny.edu
Message-Id: <8A0C0474-BFA3-11D8-84F9-000A95CD182C@mac.com>
Hilbert is back in the hospital. His creatine got worse, BUN was 136,
Phos 10.6, white count 12.2, and he was showing up mildly anemic.
Potassium (if I recall that value right) and Specific Gravity were
good. The last is important. He can still concentrate urine.
He still can't get a decent stream, though, so there may still be
urethral problems.
What is being tried is doing repeated cystos to make sure the bladder
empties in case he's been having back-pressure. The hopes are that if
it is inflammatory in the urethra then the removal of straining may
help it ease, or if it is more serious damage from the stones that a
flow imaging using dye will show that and indicate the need for a PU to
stop back-up.
Whether a kidney and its ureter can be salvaged we still don't know,
but he is young and strong and still enthusiastic, so he stands a
chance if we all also get luck to go along with all the efforts being
made. If he even has one kidney with its ureter stay healthy enough
then the other can be removed so he has a fighting chance. Otherwise,
we'll lose him.
We have confirmation from the biopsy that what was involved was
definitely the retained fetal tube which had joined with the umbilicus
which did not retract and smooth out as it should have done, but
instead formed a pouch that held urine which then precipitated out
minerals causing the stones that caused all of this damage. It's a
rare congenital defect in ferrets. Thank goodness it is rare.
Submissive urination is something which seemed so consistent with his
personality, and we've had a few actual submissive urinators before so
we thought that was what was involved when he would dribble a little
during hug-hug kissy cuddles. All I can say is if you or anyone you
know has one who might be a submissive urinator consider that the
expense of a preemptive bladder ultrasound may be worth every penny
because if this is present you may be lucky enough to catch it before
it reaches this stage where it is touch and go so at least there is a
chance by removing that section of bladder fast, or before it causes
death which one FHL member vet told me is the usual result of this
congenital defect.
Steve and I really hope he makes it.