From:
"merylfaulkner"
Date: 2010-04-16 01:33:49 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Squinting eyes foster- managed backward scruff tecchnique for subcu
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
After discussing at the vets the use of restraining methods for Foster, trying liquids to keep him drinking while I tried inserting the needle with no luck, I got back today from the drug store with a variety of knee-high nylons, and socks to see if I could immobilize him. I retrieved Foster who was sleeping, got a nylon sock, then contemplated trying to push ferret into sock and grab skin through nylon and push butterfly needle in and thought, no way this will work. So I pulled up 20 ccs of the ringers, picked up Foster using the "backward scruff" (took me a while to get into the right position since he struggled)and pulled up so much skin he was immobilized. Found that holding his skin with my left hand, fingertips pointing towards the head, the first finger had to be firmly pressed against the thumb and the remaining four fingers pressed tightly in a backwards direction against the base of my thumb and base of my palm. I realized its like holding a heavy book by the spine
one handed.
Since he was now completely immobilized, I pushed in the butterfly needle, depressed the syringe, and found that with him suspended in such a firm grip - feet not touching the counter - I was able to hold him and get 20 in successfully. I think my original try was too tentative and I did not have a good grip and a good chunk of skin. I think if his feet had touched the counter he might have been able to struggle more.
It sounds as though Hilbert is doing so well compared to Foster (despite being older) since Foster's surgery was on the 23rd. I think I read that if there is a gastric ulcer, it sometimes takes weeks to resolve. Just wish Foster would eat on his own. Maybe now I've figured out how to subcu him this way he will improve. I'm assuming a daily 20 ccs should help. Just cannot think what else could be the problem since although his kidney values are off a little the vet said he is in early renal disease. However, his bg now seems to be reasonable. Hopefully a few days of subcu fluids will make him feel better.
Another vet I bumped into who does exotics (but not many ferrets) here in town, wondered if trying something like prilosec - an H2 inhibitor - would help, but when I looked in the drugstore I noticed all the human preps are long acting and in large amounts that would be difficult to divvy up for pets. My ferret vet stays pretty up to date with the latest treatments and I think she would have suggested it as an alternative to carafate if it were a good option.
Meryl
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Troy Lynn Eckart <sprite@...> wrote:
>
> This can be a sign of dehydration. Sub-q fluids may be needed, and I've found that when ferrets are re-hydrated they feel better and eat better. Maybe something to try with this little one.
>
> Healing hugs. tle
> www.ferretfamilyservices.org
>
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