From:
<grape_apes@charter.net>
Date: 2007-05-16 05:19:02 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: Reaction to anesthesia
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi. I don't know what the postop care was like, but even if he was under for only a short time, it is imperative that ferret temperatures be checked very frequently after anesthesia, as they do not self-regulate very well. We always check ones here every half an hour till they seem to stabilize, then every hour for awhile, then every four hours or so till they are ready to go home. I'll get 102 degrees F at 12:30, and 98 at 1, for example...
I have also found that giving postop ferrets pepcid helps their recovery along as well, especially with any kind of major procedure (i.e. adrenalectomy). We also do try to get them eating ASAP; unlike most dogs and cats, who many times won't eat until the next day, we don't like for ferrets, with their short digestive cycles and tendencies towards hypoglycemia, to go too long without eating (or puppies or kittens, or very small dogs, etc. for that matter). The longer they go, the less they often feel like eating, too, because they feel like crap, and the cycle repeats.
It is not unusual for ANY animal after gas anesthesia not to poop, however-it can make them constipated, and we tell our clients this at discharge-it can take a couple of days for a routine procedure for a dog, for example, before they might poop. Ferrets that go overnight without pooping are not totally uncommon-figure a few days to a dog might be overnight for a ferret. Diarrhea wouldn't be uncommon, either-he's just been through a stressful experience, hasn't eaten much besides the soupy things you've fed him, etc. It is good that he's peeing; we try to make sure all our postops at least pee before going home, though postop cases (not ferrets-we don't use morphine here with them) after morphine can sometimes be inhibited from urination.
Being sleepy for a day or so postop, even for a short procedure like that, isn't too odd, either-between the anesthesia and the stress, he may just be exhausted. He may also have an upset stomach or feel yucky as a result of any meds they sent him home on. Did they start an antibiotic after pulling that tooth? An antibiotic on an already upset and empty stomach can cause nausea and increase inappetance (and cause vomiting or diarrhea, among other things).
But if he doesn't bounce back at this point, I'd check in with your vet again.
Hope this helps, and that he's all better by the time you even see this!
Best,
April (vet tech and ferret owner)
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