After Surgery Care

[charlisc]

Hello everyone. Last night my roommate accidentally stepped on Rocket and we rushed him to the emergency vet clinic where they determined that he had an abdominal hernia. His abdominal muscle had torn open and some of his intestines had moved outside his abdominal cavity. He had surgery this morning and they told me that the damage to his abdominal muscle was worse than they expected, but that they were able to suture everything up. But, he now has a larger incision so they are more worried about infection, pain, and healing, although they did tell me that he should be able to make a full recovery. He is staying at the vet overnight and I will be picking him up tomorrow afternoon to bring home.

I am seeking advice on how to properly care for him at home. I read that he should be kept in a small, one level cage with nothing that he could climb up on and damage his incision. I have his cage set up and fleece blankets in the wash to line his cage with and keep him warm. Does anyone have other tips for me so I can properly take care of my poor little fuzzy?

If anyone has any experience with post-op ferrets, how many days they should be resting before walking around, tips to feed them if they aren't hungry, how to keep them well-hydrated and warm, how to care for the incision, and any other advice, please respond. Rocket is my first ferret and I want to be sure that I can do everything I can to take care of him and keep him comfortable while he is recovering.

[ordinarygirl]

awww poor wittle fuzzbutt

Well hopefully the vet will be able to answer all those questions for you before you take him home.

The one level cage is definitely a must. Also not sure if you have other ferrets but you shouldn't let them play and get rough with Rocket. An occasional visit is okay but you don't want Rocket to get excited and move in a way he shouldn't.

You will probably be giving him pain meds which will keep him sleepy and immobile

You'll be able to take advantage of this calmer version of Rocket and have lots of snuggles - just be gentle

Regarding eating and wound care - I really hope the vet gave you what you need to know but if not check back in and we'll see what we can figure out.

I accidentally stepped on my ferret 8 years ago - and I still have guilt. And I STILL do the ferret shuffle - meaning I don't pick up my feet - I just shuffle them whenever the ferrets are out.

[charlisc]

Everything has been going fine with his recovery, except he sometimes likes to lick and bite at his stitches! We have tried putting a little sleeve around him and cutting leg holes, cones, bandaging it...but he gets out of everything and is able to get at the area again! Any advice?

[unclejoe]

I know I've come in late but I made a cone out of a manila folder and attached it to a harness to Boodles couldn't get out of it.

Prototype


Finished model

[ordinarygirl]

just the cutest thing everrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[unclejoe]

boo boo wasnt the sharpest tool in the drawer but he was loving and cute

[charlisc]

Thanks for the responses! Rocket has been recovering very quickly! He is back to his old self again, and his incision is healed up already!

[unclejoe]

I'm so happy to hear that