From:
bstollak@aol.com
Date: 2004-07-23 23:40:48 UTC
Subject: Crystals in Bladder; Surgery, and problems
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2844410.1090626048035.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Sorry in advance for the long post. I'm a new member to this forum, and a ferret owner for the past 10 years.
4 months ago, I adopted a 1 1/2 year old male ferret (Mr. Peepers). He is not a Marshall ferret (no ear tattoo); and he has not been descented. He's been in pretty good health -- good energy level, good appetite, elimination, etc. He's on Totally Ferret.
On Tuesday, July 13, he stopped urinating. I rushed him to the ER, and he required catheterization, and an overnight stay. The urinalysis revealed a high bacteria level (treated with Baytril), red and white blood cells, but no crystals.
He was sent home with sub-q fluids, and a Baytril scrip.
On Saturday, July 17, I got him into my regular vet for a follow-up visit. An x-ray and ultrasound were both taken: they revealed crystals in the bladder. I was advised to continue the sub-q fluids, and flush his bladder out.
Wednesday, July 21, I noted that his urine stream was not as strong and uninterrupted as it should have been; Thursday, July 22 he spent the day at my vet's office. Another x-ray and ultrasound revealed that the crystals were diminishing.
Neither the x-ray nor the ultrasound showed indications of an enlarged prostate.
That night, he went back to the ER with another bladder blockage. This time, his urethra was swollen and irritated, and they had trouble passing the catheter, but they eventually did it, and emptied his bladder.
I picked him up earlier today, got him to my regular vet (catheter still in place). By now, something had gone wrong with the catheter, and it could no longer function.
My vet determined that surgery to remove his penis and urethra was the best option, but she was not a surgeon. She found a surgeon.
He was rushed to the surgi-center, and I met with the surgeon. She was hesitant to perform the surgery, because she wasn't certain that the bladder issue was the primary problem, and wanted a ferret specialist to consult -- on Monday.
He cannot urinate on his own; the catheter which is still in place has failed. Everyone's playing pass the ferret, and I'm panicing. Help!
She wanted to try to replace the catheter, and keep him cath-ed over the weekend, until Monday. I told her to try that; in the event that they cannot pass another catheter, they'll operate.
I'm located in So. Cal.
Has anyone had any experience with this?? Success stories? Advice? I'm coming apart quick here, and don't want to lose Peepers.