Hello all,
 
It's been a long time since I've posted and my vet has a question he would
like me to ask all you ferret-friendly vets out there, since he does not
have a computer or access to the Internet.
 
Here goes:  When doing a perineal urethrostomy on a ferret, do you need to
remove the sheath?
 
Background info--a male ferret, approximately 2 years of age, came into the
shelter with loss of hair and aggression.  We did an exploratory and the vet
looked at the adrenals and couldn't find anything wrong.  He even stopped
during surgery and consulted the adrenal FAQ where Dr. Williams says don't
come out empty-handed.  If in doubt, take the left.  So he took the left.
Then he checked the spleen and took a portion of it for testing.  He then
looked around, found nothing out of the ordinary and sewed this ferret up.
 
Three weeks later the ferret suddenly stopped urinating and pooping, but
strained every two or three minutes trying to go.  Back to the vets, who put
him under iso and tried to cath him.  No luck.  So, surgery the next day and
he did a perineal urethrostomy.
 
Ten days post-surgery for the urethrostomy, ferret has infection in penis,
with pus coming out.  Back to the vets.  Put on antibiotics and vet stated
it is partly an infection (partly penile sheath????) but he is wondering if
(as in dogs) the sheath should have been removed when he did the surgery.
 
So, vets--any feedback?
 
Just wanted to say thank you in advance for your input and feedback, vets.
 
Stephanie Mudgett
Director
Ferret Services of Freedom
[Posted in FML issue 1718]