Hello and dooks to all.
 
I have a female ferret (Felicity) who is about 3 years old.  Felicity has
always had anal gland problems ever since I got her.  She goes through
stages where she will need them expressed every couple of months, and then
she'll be fine for quite a while.  At the moment she's ok (touch wood).
The vet I go to is not keen on removal of Felicity's anal glands because
she is just not a particularly healthy ferret.  She was from a backyard
breeder and malnourished and neglected when she was a kit.  My vet is
concerned with the risks of the anasthetic (Felicity tends to have
coughing fits every so often, sleep more than my other ferrets & drink
more than the others).  The vet has attempted to listen to her heart, but,
you know how ferrets are, she doesn't keep still very well.  He doesn't
think that there is a problem, but, would rather express her anal glands
than risk the anasthetic.
 
If it is not good for her to have them expressed regularly, what other
options do we have?
 
I'm now a very concerned fuzzy mum, 'cos I want to do what is best for my
furkid.
 
Any more info. greatly appreciated.
 
Meghan and the monsters: Felicity, Stryder, & Menolly
[Posted in FML issue 3556]