From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2004-07-28 01:34:45 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Adrenal Disease
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <6992364.1090978485158.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
We usually bring home ferrets anywhere from 5 hours post-op to several days post-op depending on the type of operation and complications.
In 23 years we have never lost a ferret post op here at home (and the only one lost at the vet post-op had hidden advanced lymphoma and literally didn't have symptoms till she was close to dying anyway.
If I were going to mention the most most important things post op, off the top of my head I'd say:
1. Have your vet write down the specifics or write them down yourself. If your vet wants you to do things you aren't used to doing ask that a vet tech show you how before you leave and find out where to get any equipment needed.
2. Keep a medical chart. It can be simple after a standard surgery, or if you wind up at some point with a very complex situation it can be over-the-top then.
3. If you can't get medical care very rapidly if an emergency arises have some broad-spectrum antibiotics handy even if the vet isn't giving them this time, have at least one tablet of Fludrocort/Florinef and some Pediapred in case the other adrenal doesn't functions straight off.
4. Have your vet's emergency number attached to your phone or hung right by it.
5. Don't allow climbing for at least a week, preferably longer. Not many ferrets are lost post-op but I have noticed that a large number of the ones who die after a very standard surgery were climbing, even if it was just cage ramps.
6. Do watch for stitch pulling. Not many do it, but some remove their own stitched or those of others. Surgical glue over stitches helps make that difficult to impossible.
7. Have newspaper, paper towels of something similar there for bathroom use until the ferret is able to get into a low access litter pot and then use a recycled newspaper litter during recovery.
8. Check incision at least once a day, preferably more often.
9. Expect some bruising which will resolve but if it gets to be too much, esp. if the gums also get pale get vet care.
10. Sometimes after stitches come out there may be a missed stitch. You'd be amazed at how many puzzling signs can sometimes resolve just by removing a missed stitch.
11. Right after surgery body temp is prone to dropping; keep the ferret warm enough. That actually is not hard to do with bedding (sometimes with an assist) and doesn't require any fire-hazards like some electric heating pads which pose cord-biting, overheating, or covering risks.
12. Food and water are needed. Hydration is essential. If the skin gets loose or the gums get tacky your animal is dehydrated. Food is essential. After surgery it is often helpful to feed a/d or meat baby food mixed with warmed water and to put a towel on your lap and slowly offer the food to the ferret by finger or spoon while speaking encouragingly or singing. Your vet may suggest that you buy a tube of Nutrical. It is a supplement which also offers sugars. Some times after surgery for anyone the strain can cause some sugar drops to happen and this will help reduce the nausea and dizziness that can cause.
I am sure I am missing pointers others will have for you, but this list should get you started.