Bitsy is an 8+ yr old female that had adrenal surgery in 2001.  A couple
weeks ago I noticed her vulva swelling again but at her age hesitated on
a second surgery.  A week ago Sunday Bitsy couldn't urinate.  I've had
boys have difficulty urinating because of prostate problems related to
adrenal but this is the first female.  I managed to get Bitsy unblocked
and scheduled her surgery for Thursday.  Wednesday evening she blocked
again.  I worked with her for a bit then headed for the vets office since
I wasn't able to get her unblocked.... got to the vets office and she
started urinating, a little at a time.  Had her examined and expressed
then home we went.
 
Thursday morning I expressed her before we left for her surgery.  During
surgery our vet found a large cherry sized right adrenal and removed it.
Bitsy's bladder was easily expressed under anesthesia.  Our vet said she
was having urethra spasms which is why she couldn't urinate on her own
and why it was so difficult to express her.  Larry said to keep her on
pain meds to help relax her.  Later that evening Bitsy was unable to
urinate even with the pain meds.  I expressed her as best I could and we
both had to work at it and it was painful to her.  I was able to get her
somewhat expressed but not completely empty throughout the night and the
next day.  Not only did Bitsy have major abdominal surgery but I had to
express her.
 
I knew we had to do something to make her relax and was trying to think
of something that would stop spasms.  As I walked into the kitchen to get
aspirin for my aching shoulders (from shoveling dirt that day), the light
went on.  I crushed a baby aspirin, added 8/10's of a cc of water and
shook vigourously.  I gave Bitsy 0.2 of a cc orally mixed with a bit of
amoxi and waited.  To my great relief this worked!  An hour later Bitsy
was able to urinate on her own.  It was a little at first but each time
she squatted she left a small puddle.  Whew!  I lowered the aspirin dose
to 1/10 of a cc twice a day and Bitsy is still able to urinate on her own
and her bladder is completely empty each time I've checked her.
 
I talked with our vet yesterday and he was concerned about bleeding after
surgery (aspirin thins the blood) but he was glad the aspirin worked and
said to continue it as needed once or twice a day and watch her color and
for any bleeding.
 
Thank goodness I shoveled dirt that day....
 
hugs to all. tle
Troy Lynn Eckart, F.B.S.
Ferret Family Services
http://www.ferretfamilyservices.org
http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~sprite/ffs.html
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/5481/
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[Posted in FML issue 4203]