|
Post by opiesmom on Nov 4, 2009 13:04:33 GMT -5
Opie has adrenal disease. He has been on melantonin since January. He was doing really well. When he got itchy again I had my vet check into the lupron shots. Well we didn't get that far. Last week he started having a very hard time peeing and his stomach was hard. I took him into the vets on Sunday. The vet took x-rays and he really couldn't see much because Opie was full of puss in his belly. The vet drained his urine and drained a syringe full of puss. He took two differant blood tests and a culture to see what kind of infection it is. He gave him a shot of antibiotics. On Monday after the blood test came back he is very anemic. I took him in for another antibiotic shot. By looking at him he said it looks like the adrenal was under control and something was going on with his prostate and we had to get the puss out. So tuesday morning he went into surgery. I thought for sure I was going to lose him in surgery. I called once and he was still in surgery, they would call. Well wouldn't you know it T-Mobil was out and when they called it was busy. So at 3 I called and he was out of surgery. He had made it. I cried from happiness. He had a very large tumor on his adrenal gland which was pressing on his prostate and his prostate had absessed. He remove the gland and cleaned him up really good. He is on Clavamox for now unitl the culture comes back. He had three different bactericas. So he might give him a different antibotic but for now this will help him. It is still touch and go for now but he made it through the night. He is such a fighter. He is drinking and eating a little. What's so sad is he still pulls himself to go to the little box and then is to weak to get out. He has been running a high fever and they said to rub alcohal on his back paws but does anyone know what else to do to bring the fever down? I don't know what I would do if I loss him now but I know in my heart I did everything for him. I owe him that much, he has given me so much in the 4 1/2 years I have had him. Any suggestions to keep him comfortable would be appreciated. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by ferretdroogies on Nov 4, 2009 15:45:25 GMT -5
I am so sorry. I hope he starts to turn around for you. I can't help you a whole lot since I haven't had to deal with adrenal in any of mine yet (and the clinic I work at sends adrenals to a specialist). I can tell you that saw palmetto has been used with male ferrets with adrenal to help with reducing enlargement of the prostate. I don't know at what dose or if anything else will help with this (nudges Heather). As far as fever, rubbing alcohol on the paw pads and ears helps, as well as laying them near or on a frozen water bottle with towels or blankets on top. Again, if anyone else has some input, it would be greatly appreciated Hope this helps some
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Nov 4, 2009 22:36:52 GMT -5
A cool- not cold- wash cloth. Wipe down his paws and his head. Anything too cold can cause his body to go into shock. He's also going to have the anesthetic coming out of his body for a day or two, so he may wind up alternating between being fevered(from the infection), and cold(from the anesthetic). Good luck, and I'll be keeping Opie in my thoughts! Please keep us posted!
|
|
|
Post by opiesmom on Nov 5, 2009 0:00:21 GMT -5
So Opie made through another day. I was putting cold packs wrapped in a kitchen towel and he laid on it for maybe ten minutes and his fever would go down. It was cool to the touch not cold. It seems his fever is gone now. He did get up and walked a few steps and not just drag himself. He ate a good amount of soup the last time I fed him. I've been feeding him every two to three hours. He drinks on his own now. As long as he is still drinking and eating, pooing and peeing. that's a good sign. When I give him the clavamox any idea the best way to give it to him. The vet said it didn't matter if with food or without. I've been feeding him first because I'm afraid he won't eat after but if there is a better way please let me know. It's still pretty touchy. Again thanks everyone for any help.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Nov 5, 2009 0:53:40 GMT -5
I"ve got a boy on Clavamox, give after food as you've been doing. Clavamox can be harsh on their tummies. Please do not apply rubbing alcohol to feet or ears. Rubbing alcohol is no longer used in reducing fevers with humans either. It causes dehydration and can burn the skin. Using cool cloth and lukewarm water bottles are your best bet. I'm glad to hear that he's starting to come around. Surgery is so hard on ferrets, poor wee things. It seems to me that your care is exemplary and your doing great by him You're correct ferretdroogies, saw palmetto is probably the best and the best known....cat's claw and gravelroot is also another herb that might be used. I've used a homeopathic treatment of saw palmetto. The one thing that you have to remember too, is that saw palmetto may have an affect on hormonal therapies (think of deslorin therapies) Just a thought. ciao
|
|
|
Post by ferretdroogies on Nov 5, 2009 1:59:58 GMT -5
I didn't know that about rubbing alcohol, good to know! Heather is right about clavamox. Antibiotics (especially clavamox) can be harsh on their tummies because it kills the good bacteria (or probiotics) in the stomach which can cause digestive upset, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. I have found they usually do better when fed before. I found this out the hard way when feeding two cats by esophagostomy tubes and both on clavamox. Well, everyone had been giving them the clavamox first, then tube fed them. They vomited every time until I told everyone to try feeding first, then clavamox. No more vomiting! Marshalls makes a probiotic supplement for ferrets (surprisingly) to replace them during antibiotics or general digestive upset. The problem is no one knows whether or not probiotics are worth giving to ferrets because their digestive tracts are so short and acidic.
|
|
|
Post by opiesmom on Nov 5, 2009 16:17:14 GMT -5
Opies turning around This morning he is moving around better. He just looks so much better today I can't believe it. I have one more question. Should I let him eat all the soup he wants or should I stop him because he pigs out on soupies. I'm afaid he will over eat. Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by sherrylynne on Nov 5, 2009 20:07:55 GMT -5
If he's not throwing up the excess soup, then he's probably not overeating
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Nov 5, 2009 20:16:51 GMT -5
I am happy to hear that Opie is starting to feel better. That poor baby has been thorough so much. He is very lucky to have a mommy that loves him as much as you! I'll be keeping you both in my thoughts. Warm wishes for a speedy recovery, Opie! ((((Hugs))))
|
|
|
Post by opiesmom on Nov 6, 2009 0:10:44 GMT -5
:'(bad news. Opies is doing better but the vet called and he has two different bacterias. One is easy to treat and one is very hard to treat. I haven't looked them up yet, I thought I would start here. One is entesobacter and the other is entesococcus. I got another antibiotic for him. This one is baytril. He said I could give them to him at the same time but I would rather give two hours apart unless someone has a better way.I also got him yogart put in his soup just in case. I just feel so bad for Opie, I hope I'm doing the right thing and not just making him suffer. I look at him and I think he is fighting too. I have heard that they let you know and with him eating, drinking and pooing and peeing he's still okay. He saw his tennis ball and tried to hide it. He will take 5 or 6 steps now and then he is is to tired and lays down. I cut a cats litter box in half and taped it so it's easy for him to get in. Also the litter was sticking to him so I use the doggie pads. There has been lots of poo and pee. So anyway if anyone has any input it is greatly appreciated. I also appreciated my vet. I have alot of trust in him.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Nov 6, 2009 0:27:08 GMT -5
I took the liberty of looking up the two bacterial infections that you've mentioned. This is rather interesting.
****Enterobacter infections are becoming more common in intensive care. They are mainly found where:
* Infection control is poor (little hand-washing) - many infections are acquired through cross-transmission [ J Infect Dis 2001 Jul 15;184(2):211-214]. Ready transmission occurs - for example, rapid disinfection of rectal thermometers with 80% alcohol does NOT prevent transmission of E. cloacae.
* Substantially compromised patients are present - the very young, the very old, and, especially, those with severe underlying disease, such as neoplasms, or immune suppression including human immunodeficiency virus infection - usually in the later stages of the disease. [J Chemother 2001 Apr;13(2):195-201]
Enterobacter infection has also been traced to contaminated albumin concentrates (yet another reason not to use albumin), prefilled saline syringes, multidose vials and contaminated infant formulae (in the tin), with consequent necrotising enterocolitis. [J Clin Microbiol 2001 Jan;39(1):293-297] Total parenteral nutrition solutions have been contaminated during preparation. Haemodialysis machines with defective waste-handling ports have also been responsible for haematogenous infection. Strains have even been found that can grow in drinks containing methylparaben (and will even grow in concentrations of 3000mg/L)! Enterobacter meningitis in adults has been reported following neurosurgery, presumably consequent on the usual predisposing causes! *****
Enterococcus: Bacteria normally found in the feces of people and many animals. Two types of enterococci -- Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium --occasionally cause human disease, most commonly urinary tract infections and wound infections. Other infections, including those of the blood stream (bacteraemia), heart valves (endocarditis) and the brain (meningitis) can occur in severely ill patients in hospitals. Enterococci also often colonize open wounds and skin ulcers.
Enterococci are among the most common antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The first vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) was found in 1986. Since that time, VRE has become a growing problem. Bacteria resistant to vancomycin are commonly also resistant to a similar antibiotic called teicoplanin, and vice versa.**********
It sounds to me that your Opie is progressing. You have to remember it takes longer for them to recover from surgeries the older they are. Adrenal surgery is never easy on them and with the bacterial infection that your little fellow has, it would be recovery that much more difficult. I'm afraid that I don't have any vast insights to offer you but it sounds to me that you're doing well by your little fellow. Good luck ciao
|
|
|
Post by opiesmom on Nov 6, 2009 0:51:13 GMT -5
I don't think he got it in the hospital. The vet took out a syringe full of puss the first day I took him and that was what was sent to the lab. His whole belly was infected and it is in animal feces. I think it just grew in him. I just pray we clear it up with both antibiotics.
|
|
|
Post by novemberkris on Nov 6, 2009 9:07:06 GMT -5
I'm glad to hear Opie is fighting it out after the surgery. They are scary to go through with any age ferret. Sounds like, maybe, this will really improve his quality of life after you kick those lingering infections. (I tell you, ferrets get the strangest intestinal infections). Keep us posted!
|
|
|
Post by opiesmom on Nov 6, 2009 12:05:57 GMT -5
Well Opie had another good night. He seems more comfortable today. This bacteria really has me worried. I'm almost sure he didn't pick it up in the hospital so it has me worried that it might be in my house. I know I did have my carpets shampooed in the hallway and living room about two weeks before he got sick. It might have brought something up or from the machine , I just don't know. His vet if off until Sunday so I'll call him then to see if I should do something in my home. But I'm hoping it is from the infection in his belly. I think he did say that something about the intestine infection but I forgot. If anyone has had this happen to anyone they know please let me know.
|
|
|
Post by novemberkris on Nov 6, 2009 16:59:18 GMT -5
When Paulie had emergency surgery last year, it turned out to be a massive intestinal infection (the critical care vet didn't culture to see what kind-but I assume he was having a secondary infection related to kibble troubles). She gave him a combination of Baytril and Metro(something or other that someone will fill in). Both are antibiotics, but as I understood the second combats mainly intestinal infections. It turned him around nicely. If it comes down to it, he will probably have that added to the Baytril, at least if I understand the way my vet explained it to me. He also got an antacid.
I hope that makes you feel better. If the infection lingers, you still have another antibiotic at your disposal.
|
|