From:
"Bonnie"
Date: 2010-02-07 18:26:54 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Need Advice - Adrenal ferret {corrections to my earlier post}
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "sukiedaviscrandall" <sukie@...> wrote:
>
>
> I think this may be a good time for people
> to discuss post-surgical care again.
>
> Here are a few basics we stick to:
>
> No climbing or other strenuous
> activity for at least 10 days (and usually
> 2 weeks). That even includes ramps.
>
> Careful care to maintain hydration.
>
> Finger feeding (not forced feeding).
>
> Wound inspection regularly.
>
> Monitoring for fever (temp over 102
> or 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
>
> Papers for waste and those changed
> regularly.
>
> Follow veterinary advice to the letter
> in relation to post-op meds.
>
> Call vet hospital when something goes
> wrong instead of waiting and use emergency
> care if needed.
>
> I'm sure that people will discuss
> more.
>
> Years ago when I did a survey of people
> who lost ferrets after surgery the most
> consistent thing mentioned was climbing.
> Also common factor for losing a ferret
> post-surgically were other strenuous
> activity too soon, and dehydration. (Back
> then instead of using Iso or Sevo as the
> primary anesthesia it was common to
> use injectables and some also became
> too cold after surgery and died for that
> reason. That is not usually encountered
> these days.)
>
Great idea Sukie, and perfect timing. I just lost my first post surgical ferret in five years, a three year old gib. We still aren't sure what happened. It was a textbook surgery, four nodules removed from the pancreas (they were spread across the pancreas), removal of a large left adrenal gland. Isoflurane was used, incisions cauterized. The only issue noted was a delay in coming around post surgery, but he was fine by the time I took him home in the evening. He ate some warm soup on his own at home, then curled up and went to sleep. Two hours later his blood pressure had dropped, he blew his catheter and went into shock. The vet came in to her office and worked for two hours trying to get another catheter into him. His blood sugar dropped to nothing and warming him up was futile. I took him home with very little hope. A few hours later his belly bloated and he passed in my arms. Our vet opened him back up post mortem to find he was full of air and he was bleeding
"all over inside", but not from any of his surgical incisions. He had a prior history of intestinal infection when he first came into our shelter (in August)which was treated with antibiotics.
We live in a very rural area, and do not have anyone that stays overnight at the vet hospital. That first 24 hours after surgery is so critical IMO, so my alarm is set every 30 minutes through the night [makes for a very long night, but necessary, especially when monitoring IV drip]. I take care of all my post surgeries, and insist on bringing them home on IV fluids so dehydration does not become an issue. I have a small, single floor cage set up for a "sick cage" which includes a hook for hanging the IV, and enough space so the cath doesn't get tangled or pulled out accidentally. I use old IV bags as hot water bottles wrapped in a receiving blanket, heat them in the microwave and rotate them every hour or so around the clock so the ferret is constantly kept warm. No litter pans, only pads. Cut down lock on crocks are specially installed to prevent accidental [or deliberate] food and water spills into the bedding.
I am still coming to terms with the knowledge that no matter how hard I work at it, I am going to have post surgical losses. Somehow I doubt it is going to get any easier than this one.
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