Post by ferreholic on Sept 14, 2012 0:14:40 GMT -5
OK. So we are in the process of deciding what to do about Bandit's bladder stones and I still have questions for my vet. Here are some of his answers so far - I am curious what you all think. Any advice on any or all of these topics is much appreciated...(please forgive the size of this post, but we simply don't know how to handle this situation and we need answers from ferret knowledgeable people as fast as we can get them before we lose Bandit too)...
Concerning the 'fat pad' around Bandit's heart - I asked if the 'fat pad' he is seeing could be fluid (in other words, a heart condition) and he said NO. He said that you can tell if it is fat vs. fluid based on the density of the xray. He said that fluid around the heart doesn't so much show up as anything, but that it looks like the heart is xtra large because you can't read the difference between the fluid inside to outside of the heart. He said fat had a density to it on xray that is visible, and shows up like other fat pockets that appear throughout the body. He also said this 'fat pad' is normal in overweight animals, even though Bandit only weighs 2.5lbs. There have been times that Bandit HAS been a chubster, but he isn't huge right now.
Concerning Bandit's heart arrythmia - The vet said Bandit has a Second Degree Heart Block and that this is fairly common in ferrets. He said that a ferret can have this condition and still have surgery with no problems. However, Bandit will have to be given heart medications during the surgery to keep his arrhythmia from negatively affecting his surgery.
Concerning the bladder stone removal surgery - The vet said this is a very safe surgery as far as ferret surgeries go, and that he is confidant and comfortable performing it. He said he has done hundreds of these in dogs and cats and has done 10 of these in ferrets. With all of the ferrets there were never any negative side effects or complications after the surgery.
Concerning Bandit's new urine pattern - For a couple of months before both Gir and Emmett passed they started having large, clear puddles of urine. I feel that this is a sign of potential kidney failure and of the impending stones. The vet thinks I am wrong about this and that these large, clear urine puddles only signify that they are getting lots of extra water.
Concerning the effect the Raw diet will have on future stone production - Here our vet has no idea what or if any effect a raw diet will have with Bandit's stones. However, he is on board with the raw diet now after what happened with Emmett and Gir. But he should be considering he agrees with me that it was their kibble diet that ultimately killed them and HE PRESCRIBED this kibble diet. Also, he said he has no precedent or scientific data to go on with our situation as both Gir and Emmett, and very likely Bandit, have loads of cystine stones which are very rare, especially for ferrets. He has no idea really how to handle this situation, but I get the feeling he doesn't think anyone would.
Concerning the 'fat pad' around Bandit's heart - I asked if the 'fat pad' he is seeing could be fluid (in other words, a heart condition) and he said NO. He said that you can tell if it is fat vs. fluid based on the density of the xray. He said that fluid around the heart doesn't so much show up as anything, but that it looks like the heart is xtra large because you can't read the difference between the fluid inside to outside of the heart. He said fat had a density to it on xray that is visible, and shows up like other fat pockets that appear throughout the body. He also said this 'fat pad' is normal in overweight animals, even though Bandit only weighs 2.5lbs. There have been times that Bandit HAS been a chubster, but he isn't huge right now.
Concerning Bandit's heart arrythmia - The vet said Bandit has a Second Degree Heart Block and that this is fairly common in ferrets. He said that a ferret can have this condition and still have surgery with no problems. However, Bandit will have to be given heart medications during the surgery to keep his arrhythmia from negatively affecting his surgery.
Concerning the bladder stone removal surgery - The vet said this is a very safe surgery as far as ferret surgeries go, and that he is confidant and comfortable performing it. He said he has done hundreds of these in dogs and cats and has done 10 of these in ferrets. With all of the ferrets there were never any negative side effects or complications after the surgery.
Concerning Bandit's new urine pattern - For a couple of months before both Gir and Emmett passed they started having large, clear puddles of urine. I feel that this is a sign of potential kidney failure and of the impending stones. The vet thinks I am wrong about this and that these large, clear urine puddles only signify that they are getting lots of extra water.
Concerning the effect the Raw diet will have on future stone production - Here our vet has no idea what or if any effect a raw diet will have with Bandit's stones. However, he is on board with the raw diet now after what happened with Emmett and Gir. But he should be considering he agrees with me that it was their kibble diet that ultimately killed them and HE PRESCRIBED this kibble diet. Also, he said he has no precedent or scientific data to go on with our situation as both Gir and Emmett, and very likely Bandit, have loads of cystine stones which are very rare, especially for ferrets. He has no idea really how to handle this situation, but I get the feeling he doesn't think anyone would.
) Azrael has not blocked since going completely raw, but is still on antibiotics so I don't know which is actually working. 
