From:
"merylfaulkner"
Date: 2010-03-26 00:53:14 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:Ferret with past adrenal pancreatic surgery now low BG - update
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
On March 14 I posted about Foster (previously had adrenal surgery at 3yo two years ago) who's bg was low. However, after the visit to the vet on the 15th when his bg was 55, we decided on ultrasound as a precursor to surgery. We also started him on diazoxide, since my veterinarian said if she decided to do surgery, that ferrets on pred sometimes had tissues which were more "friable". My veterinarian wanted to make sure that Foster had no additional problems prior to surgery. After I mentioned the debate about ultrasound and its diagnostic capabilities she said that both the equipment used and the expertise of the ultrasound specialist makes a difference in the ability to diagnose.
Part of the local ultrasound specialist's report (I've selected portions) was:
"Spleen enlarged, mottled parenchyma, 1.13cm nodule associated with splenic body. A 0.8cm nodule within the left pancreatic limb, left lateral to the portal vein; several moderately echogenic nodes within the mesentery adjacent to this lesion. Mesentery in cranial abdomen is hyperechoic with small amt ascites present. Left adrenal not visualized. There is an approx 0.75 hyperechoic structure in the region of the rt adrenal; caudal vena cava caudal to this region is visible but at the level of this structure a patent CVC cannot be identified. One portion of the gastric wall appeared thickened, but no discrete mass was noted. Small bowel, caudal abdominal lymph nodes, urinary bladder within normal limits"
He suggested that the rt adrenal mass with cvc thrombus may have been due to occlusion of the vena cava (when she worked on the rt adrenal two years ago - she removed the left completely). My vet wondered if the vena cava had developed collateral vessels after she worked on the rt adrenal during the surgery. She usually uses cryosurgery on the rt.
The U-S specialist suggested radiographs prior to exploratory surgery. My vet did surgery on the 23rd. It went well. And Foster is eating and acting normally.
My vet said that the rt adrenal - a little larger than she saw it previously 2 years ago - was wrapped around the vena cava, but blood flow seemed fine so the vessel/blood flow was not being restricted. She left it as it was.
She removed affected portions of the pancreas and something else associated with the GI tract - forget what. Foster apparently ate shortly after coming out of the anesthetic (ferrets are amazing). His bg went up after surgery to 120 - I was surprised there was such a rapid effect. He goes for a recheck next week and is on Keflex and torbugesic if he seems to need it. I'm wondering how much time this will buy a 5 y old ferret. He's currently on Lupron, but I wish the newer drug Deslorelin was more easily available. My veterinarian knows there is a new one, and knows its cheaper and lasts longer, but is one of those reluctant to try importing. BTW Have there been any studies yet showing that Deslorelin actually extends lifespan compared to Lupron?
Meryl
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