High Risk Surgery: To Do or Not?

[Rachel]

Hey everyone,

I have never posted on here before. But this is definitely a crisis for me, and I'm having a hard time with deciding what is best to do by one of my foursome: Min-Min.

I took her in to the vet earlier today due to weight loss and lethargy and pain, and have a bit of an ultimatum. To proceed with surgery or PTS.

She has a large tumor/mass in her abdomen. By large - it feels roughly the size of a walnut. It's big. As the vet said: "This isn't a kidney" - but it certainly is the same size or thereabouts of one.

He gave me the option of pursuing surgery (estimated to cost $800-$1000 CAD) or just watching and waiting for when it "was time".

I'm really, really leaning towards surgery, and intend to go back and enquire more about it tomorrow.

But what is discouraging me currently isn't so much the money (which, might I add, I'm going to have to dig deep to put forward for the operation to remove said tumor/mass) but the fact he's classified it as "high risk surgery".
I wish to ask him about whether he is concerned about how she'll react to the anesthetic (I realize this is always a concern for ferrets, despite ages) or if there are other factors that have it classified as "high risk". If it's due to the size of the mass, location, and blood loss - I'll probably go with putting her to sleep. I would also do this tomorrow, as I don't want her suffering throughout the weekend. She's barely eating, and while drinking like a little horse - just no. If I can't "fix" her, then I don't want her to continue being miserable and trying to cheer me up. (which she is doing)

If its just the anesthetic...I WANT to do the surgery. I want to take that risk and know that I at least did everything humanly possible to save her and lengthen her life.

As an aside, she is 4 1/2 years old, so a middle aged lady.

Long story short: I just want to get some friendly advice, and any info possible regarding risks in surgery on a ferret, especially for removal of such a mass.
Am I right to have hope? Or should I be leaning more towards putting her down, sad as it is to say?

Thanks.

-Rachel.


PS: Picture of the tyke. She's the one on the left. The big boy is Rascal, who is co-ruler of the roost with her (the other two girls are the "mistresses")

[Barbara]

These decisions are never easy. You do need to know why he considers her high risk. If it's just because she's a ferret I don't agree but if she has other problems or the tumor is in a place where surgery is not advised that's different. It could even be the shape and feeling of the tumor. If surgery is done on some tumors, it causes them to spread faster. So you need to get more information from the vet and maybe even a second opinion from another vet.

I'm sending lots of good thoughts and prayers, and even some hugs.

[goingpostal]

I would agree you need to find out why it's high risk before anything else although if she is doing poorly now it may be more dangerous. The only time I've had a similar issue it was lymphoma (multiple masses) and the ferret had insulinoma as well so we didn't do surgery.

[Artroxy]

I have to agree with above, you'll have to see the exact reason as to shy he considers it a high risk surgery. Also make sure to get her heart checked as this might make the surgery riskier.

[angelanemilysmom]

I agree with Barbara and the others

[Dingo]

I'll be sending positive thoughts for whatever you decide.

While this may make me unpopular with some I will say that I no longer choose to have our ferret vet do surgery in a situation similar to yours. I did do it once and felt that the discomfort and pain my little guy experienced post-op was not fair to him. Ultimately our vet had to put Stuart to sleep two months later as he was once again suffering.

That Stuart had to go through so much pain twice over really broke my heart. I vowed then that I would let them go gently in the future. Our ferret vet is very supportive of my decision. These days I am an absolute believer in providing the best and most loving hospice-like care I can give my sick & or old guys - plenty of round the clock duck soup and just being gently held. Then, when and if the going gets too rough for them, I take them to our closest vet over the border in Canada (I live in a very remote part of Maine) and she puts them to rest as I hold them snuggled in their favorite blanket or hammock.

Hugs from me for whatever decision you come to.

Jennifer

[judy]

I'm sorry your baby is sick and I agree you need to ask what the risks are before you can make an informed decision. Did your vet mention medication as an alternative? The vet found a large mass in my Adrian's chest just a week before she died. She tried some prednisone thinking it might shrink it and give her some more pain-free time with us, but it was too little too late for her. Maybe for your Min-Min that could be an option?

I do not envy your position right now but know that whatever you decide, we all support you.