From:
"hemfcf"
Date: 2010-10-19 14:27:34 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Morphy
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
If he is feeling better, I wouldn't give up on him yet. Has your vet thought about trying Ursodiol. This product helps with gallbladder blockages, etc. If he is feeling miserable, then euthanasia is the most humane choice but if you can provide supportive care at home until a drug like Ursodiol starts working it may be worth a shot. Good luck.
Dr. Heather
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff" <inner.harmony@...> wrote:
>
> I have posted recently about Morphy and his mouth ulcers. It turns out that they were secondary to his liver and bile duct problem. He's been in the hospital for 4 days, and his liver values have come down a ton (meaning closer to normal) while on an IV, with lots of antibiotics and pain meds and other stuff. Unfortunately, an ultrasound today confirmed what the problem is. His bile duct is blocked, backing up the bile into his liver and into the bloodstream. I won't go thru all of the numbers that blood tests on Wed, Friday, and Sunday revealed, but they were so high that they seemed as if they couldn't be correct. But while the ALT and other liver numbers have improved a ton, they are still extremely high. The number that hasn't improved is the bilirubin. It was over 100 both Friday and Sunday. Yes, over 100, higher than any of the three ferret vets had ever seen in any animal. That tells us, along with the ultrasound, that the bile duct is completely blocked.
It could be sludge or a stone or a tumor, although the ultrasound suggests it's not a tumor.
>
> The surgery to unblock the bile duct is fairly complicated, but Morphy's main vet has done it. However, Morphy is not in any condition to go thru any surgery, let alone a complicated one with a fairly long recovery time. I am sure he would not survive it. He's spent the last 4 days in the animal hospital, scared and alone, without me and his brothers and sisters. I have made the choice to bring him home for his last night, so that he leaves this world tomorrow with the comfort of his family fresh on his mind. Now that he's here, and sleeping soundly with two of his sisters, I know it's the right choice. He will see Dr. tomorrow, and will go to sleep in my arms, at peace after this ordeal that's gone on for two weeks.
>
> Thank you to all who have written. This is extremely hard just 2 days after losing Sabrina, and with a very ill Minnie Mouse fighting lymphoma. But it's what's best for Morphy. He's only 4-1/2 years old, but the last 3 years and 8 months have been a wonderful life since we adopted him from the shelter.
>
> Jeff
> In Memory of Neo, Trinity, Possum, Pip, Sabrina, Misty, Frodo, Baggins, and Mr. Parker
> Caring for Luna, Morphy, Baby Girl, Dozer, Pop, and Minnie Mouse
>
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