Hi all!  A couple days ago I posted a message about my nine month old
(MacKenzie) and her back leg that wouldn't work... Thanks to all of you
who responded with your thoughts and ideas!  I took MacKenzie to the vet
yesterday, along with her sister Madison, who was there for her shots, and
asked him to re-examine her leg and he did.  Well, there is some good news
and some bad news.... the good news first.  The good news is that she does
not have any sort of adrenal problem, pancreatic problem, cancer of any
sort, nor does she have low blood sugar.  (YEAH!!) The bad news is that she
was born with some sort of birth defect (the vet suspects hereditary) that
has caused her to have weak ligaments in her knees, which causes them not
to work.  The doctor said that he would like to bind it, but in the past
he hasn't had much luck binding ferret legs.  He said if we do nothing,
arthritis will set in and then not only will it hinder her walking... it
will also cause her PAIN!!!  I don't that for my little bunky!  Anyway,
basically the answer is, in February she will have to have knee surgery.
He told me that a hole will be drilled through the side of her leg (above
and below the knee), and then fishing line will be thread through them to
form an "X" shape across the knee to give her strength.  Eventually, he
said that scar tissue would grow on the fishing line and basically give her
a new ligament.  Sounds neat to me, and hey, if it works, I am all for it!
What are my options anyway?  Waiting until she is in pain and putting her
down, or doing the surgery?  I think you know that the first is not really
an option!!  Anyway, thanks again to all of you who offered you help and
ideas.... We'll keep you posted on the surgery!
 
Shelley
Tom
Madison (Big sister Bunk)
MacKenzie (Baby sister Bunky)
[Posted in FML issue 2857]