Message Number: SG15242 | New FHL Archives Search
From: sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-08-28 16:20:22 UTC
Subject: Re: back to vet with anemic ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7308774.1125246022989.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

Okay, yes, if you back to the early part of this conversation when a differ=
ent topic was used you will find my post mentioning these meds to help redu=
ce anemia from adrenal disease, taken from past vet posts:

http://www.smartgroups.com/message/viewdiscussion.cfm?gid=3D1423922&message=
id=3D15192

Sometimes with adrenal growths the fur can regrow. There is a recalcitrant =
type of anemia that can cause as well.

How bad is the anemia (numbers)?

If the anemia is related to an adrenal growth then notice that the red bloo=
d cell numbers may be helped by melatonin, Epogen , Lupron, Arimidex. I am =
not sure what optimal meds for any of the other causes is.

I think that these may help you:
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=3DSG13972
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=3DSG14332
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=3DSG8353
and I am sure there are more in the archives to help you so also see
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org

If this is induced by the adrenal then if the ferret can be stabilized well=
enough for a surgery by a ferret knowledgeable vet that may be ultimately =
what you need to do, otherwise, the right meds as long term as possible. =

You will also notice that there have been mentions of transfusions by other=
s and that is a very logical thing to do!

The vet will not have any way to know how complicated that adrenal is at th=
is point without going in. We have had ones (2?) where very complicated on=
es were debulked (the bulk of the tumor removed) which helped for a longer =
period of time especially when Lupron Depot and melatonin were also used, b=
ut we have also encountered where the tumors turned out to not be involved =
with any neighboring structures like the Vena Cava or the liver and came ou=
t cleanly. We have not personally had any who were good ligation candidate=
s. We did not lose any of those ferrets.

Most of ours had been able to to come come for post op care the same day, b=
ut not always.

Have you read up on post op care in the FHL and FML Archives? The addies f=
or the FHL archive is in my signature line and the FML archives address is =
=

http://listserv.cuny.edu/archives/ferret-search.html

It is always good for people to be reminded of post-op tips, anyway. In ta=
lking with many ferret people through the years the single thing I personal=
ly have found most connected to post-op deaths at home has been too much ac=
tivity too soon after surgery, esp. any degree of climbing. Both to preven=
t climbing and to keep incisions cleaner we typically go with paper instead=
of litter and litter pots after surgery. We're also big on using a/d in w=
armed water and feeding slowly and patiently with fingers and spoon usually=
, and with almost always not letting other ferrets in with the sick one for=
the first week to 10 days and then allowing it with supervision only. Man=
y ferrets like having peaceful music played during their recovery. So far =
in 24 years with ferrets in our family (and the first surgery was in our se=
cond year) and some surgeries being complicated ones in compromised ferrets=
we haven't lost anyone post-op during home care (and the only one we have =
lost at the vets shortly after any type of surgery had hidden lympho throug=
hout and very advanced damage so she was closed, got pain meds while we cam=
e in to say goodbye, and then was helped to pass). I am sure that a large =
part of our success is having great vets, and part is plain old luck, but I=
suspect we are doing some things right, too. BTW, we usually use our mast=
er bathroom as the sick room. Keep a chart for getting the meds right and =
noting any changes. If something worries you call the hospital, explain wh=
at is happening and ask for a call back when the vet is available.

Ask your vet to know how charge structures are arranged. Hospitals vary.

Sukie (not a vet)
Ferret Health List co-moderator
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives fan and regular user
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org
International Ferret Congress advisor
http://www.ferretcongress.org
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