I am posting this question with the hope people might have some
suggestions, but please don't email me with "surgery, duh" comments.
 
My ferret Linus has been medicated for almost three years now, first for
IBD (immuram), then octagol for his liver was added.  His IBD has been
managable from the start, a pretty mild case, but he's had a constant
liver inflamation that the vet can't seem to put a finger on what the
deal is.  The medication is helping his liver function better, but the
bottom line is the vet can't say exactly what the problem is.  Two weeks
ago he had dental surgery, had two canines extracted, and was put on
antibiotics.  The lab tests today indicated this did nothing for him (not
even being on antibiotics for two weeks), and so the vet said he was at a
dead-end.
 
Here is my question: He says the only way he can know further is a liver
biopsy.  He can do that with ultrasound and a needle, or he could do
surgery.  The advantanges to surgery is he will be able to investigate
the status of Linus' panacreas, his adrenal gland (the one left), and
take a good look at the liver.  If there is anything actually on the
liver he could take care of it then.  Anyway, Linus is 7 1/4 years old,
almost 7 1/2, and while the vet says he is in great health to withstand
surgery, am I wondering if this would be useful for him in the long run?
I mean he has already had 3 years of liver damage.  He is healthy, happy,
showing absolutely no signs whatsoever of any decline in health.  He
still plays, likes to be chased, loves bananas and ferretone.  How much
time does he have left?  How much time could this surgery extend his
life?  And what are the chances he might have real trouble overcoming it?
Even the vet was not pushing this surgery.  He basically stated if I
wanted to know, absolutely for certain, what was going on with Linus'
liver then surgery was the next step.  But he did not think it was the
necessary next step.
 
If anyone has any suggestions, I would like to hear them.  Nice
suggestions, please.  I have had Linus since he was 1 1/4 years old, in
fact it was in August 6 years ago I got him.  When I first had him he
literally bounced off the walls, he had so much energy.  His previous
owner (I got him at a shelter) had said he didn't like to be caged.  Well
he had no problem being caged, he just liked it when people played with
him.  He has of course slowed down from that, but still he moves around.
He has a cataract in his right eye now.  But he still loves to say "hi"
by sniffing your ear...
 
Minta & Linus
[Posted in FML issue 3899]