From:
"Barbara Clay"
Date: 2008-12-28 20:23:59 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Sub-Q Fluids
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Dear Dr. Ruth,
thank you for your response.
You wrote, "..I've had food poisoning from bad hamburger once,
actually - thought I was going to die, wanted to die.**"
This is kinda ferret, or any pet, related. In the Spring of 2004 I
almost died of Salmonella poisoning. I'm a shelter op, not allowed to
get sick. I was told repeatedly by my friends about some flu that was
going around, kicking serious ass, and that I would not feel human for
two weeks. Well, after 6 days of this, I did the unimaginable, and
asked a volunteer to take me to the ER. After bloodwork, I was hooked
up to IV drips. I was in full kidney failure, and it was questionable
as to whether my kidneys would survive, I was just that far gone.
I was subsequently diagnosed, but not until after I
instructed/insisted the doctors on how to test me for a cause. LOL, It
was my shelter op instincts kicking in, demanding to know a cause! I'd
been given a couple days of Cipro, and scheduled for release. I
pursued a cause, and much to their surprise, they found a very rapidly
replicating Salmonella. I was put back on Cipro, had I not, the
Salmonella would have come back with a lethal vengence. bye bye Barb.
I dodged a serious bullet there.
Here's what I learned, and know in my heart. and apply to my ferrets;
Sub q fluids are more than just vital and critical, the rehydration
is incredibly comforting. I literally felt my entire body come back
to life as the fluids were administered. The overall pain wrenching
of every muscle and organ in my body was soothed with the rehydration.
Sub q fluids are critical in giving supportive care. I'm not a vet, so
I'll let them comment on the max amount to be given in a 24 hr period.
I recommend that everyone be taught by their vet or shelter op how to
give them, and have these supplies on hand. A ringer and a butterfly
costs less than $10. Murphy's law is that your ferret will get sick
after clinic hours and especially so on holidays. Learning to
administer sub q fluids can comfort a ferret, and save it's life.
Based on my personal experience; When I administer sub-q fluids, I
just imagine how much comfort I'm bringing to my ferret, as I knew
myself in a very critical time of my life.
Affectionately,
Barb Clay
Dir of Shelter Affairs for Rocky's
www.rockysferrets.com
PS No residual damage has been experienced from my Salmonella
experience..thank God!
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