Message Number: YPG1279 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "ncferretmom"
Date: 2007-02-17 03:07:44 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Ultrasound or surgery?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

Hi, all. I need an opinion from the vets, please. I have a 3 year old, 3.5 pound male ferret
who nearly died as a kit. Although he never had a positive diagnosis, Rocky responded to
treatment for meningitis when he responded to nothing else. He survived and, although a
little off-balanced and deaf, Rocky has been healthy.

The week after Christmas a routine vet exam by a knowledgeable ferret vet (my long-time
trusted vet back home) revealed "something" palpable behind the spleen. The vet
suggested an ultrasound when I returned home I should have him get an US to determine
what was there. I do not have a vet here with whom I feel comfortable enough to trust for
an exploratory and have not established a rapport with anyone whose judgment I trust. I
so know someone who is good at US, but would not be allowed to observe ANY of the US
procedures, regardless of where I went. Essentially, I would need to just turn Rocky over to
them and sit and wait.

So, the big question is - do I drive the two hours to the vet I trust and just go for the
surgery or do I go ahead and spring for the US by a good, nonferret vet in order to get
stills that may or may not show something? And, given that Rocky has responded to
treatment for meningitis, is there a greater risk with the anesthesia?

Thanks for your input. I appreciate points of view from people I trust. i am accustomed to
being in on all procedures, including surgery and necropsy of my ferrets. I am uneasy
sitting on the sidelines, especially when the players are limited in ferret experience.

renee :)




Yahoo! Groups Links

<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/

<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional

<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)

<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com

<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/