From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2010-01-19 18:52:46 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Re: 7 year old Ferret with Insulinoma and meds are not working like they use to
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi,
On 1/18/10, suedvm96 <suedvm96@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Age is not an acceptable reason not to be a good surgical candidate, other
> health problems yes. If all else fails and there ends up being nothing else
> you can do what do you have to lose with surgery. It could turn out to be a
> justafiable risk.
Thank you Dr. Sue! We've had ferrets have insulinoma surgery at ages
7.5 (Kodo) and 8 (Podo), both at the point where our vet said it was
life or death. He even sent us for a second opinion in each case
because he was so reluctant to do insulinoma surgery on ferrets that
old. As I wrote before our vet reduced the risk of anesthesia by
using sevoflurane instead of isoflurane. It's more expensive but
safer for older animals. Kodo's surgery went fine and he recovered
quickly. Podo's heart stopped while he was waking up from anesthesia.
Our vet was able to revive him but he had a long, slow recovery.
Was it worth it? Kodo lived for another year and a half and Podo
lived for another two years. Both had excellent quality of life for
most of that time and were their old, playful affectionate selves. If
anything both seemed rejuvenated once the insulinoma symptoms were
gone.
If all the medical options for insulinoma are gone and your ferret
will likely die then, honestly, what have you got to lose? If your
ferret makes it through surgery and recovers you may gain a whole
bunch more time with him and improve his quality of life. Isn't that
worth the risk and the cost? If our current vet gave me that choice
with Ella, my eight year old, I have no doubt that I'd spend the money
if there was any real chance that she might recover.
All the best,
Caity and the terrific trio
Ella, Zephyr and Chin Soon
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