My ferrets post-surgery needs

Question
First of all, I wanted to say that your article about caring for post surgery ferrets was very helpful in giving me an idea of what to expect. Now here comes the sad story, I was holding my youngest ferret ( 4 months) Smokey yesterday, when a loud noise (from the front screen door) scared her, and she ran up my shoulder and jumped off. After immediately seeing she was hurt, I took her to a specialist who then referred me to a veterinary hospital. When I learned that she had fractured both elbows, I swore my heart nearly broke, but they assured me that with surgery she will make a full recovery. So, my question is, you had a lot of good advice about caring for a ferret post-adrenal-surgery, but what are your thoughts on how to make it easier for my little smokey post-fractured elbow surgery? I really want her to have the most comfortable recovery possible.

Answer
Hi Julie:

I'm so very sorry to hear of your ferret's fall and subsequent injuries to her elbows. I had a ferret fall and break one elbow, so I would assume the treatment would be the same except times two. Once they are in place, the vet will put the arms in hard casts so she can't move them or get them out of place again. For the first few days/or week she will appreciate any extra love and care you can give her. Mine spent the entire time while casted laying in my arms (sissy LOL, but he knew he could get away with it) and he kept all weight off his front legs. I helped stabilize him in the litterbox and spent hours rocking him and just spoiling him. Being an only ferret, it was easy to do. If you have other ferrets, beware of rocking - you can rock down on another ferret and cause even worse injury to one of them.

He should have pain meds for the first week or so, as needed. Don't hold back on them -  at least that's my personal opinion. Ferrets are really tough and any symptom of pain at all means he's really in pain, as they tend to hide their pains. Whining, grinding teeth, not eating or moving around much are all symptoms of pain to be taken seriously. Any serious pain after the first week is to be considered serious enough to be seen by the vet. You certainly don't want the bones to heal crooked.

Some warm soup (a/d warmed in microwave with water added till above lukewarm) is comforting to them and helps rest and get nutrition too.

Best of luck with your little one. Hope everything goes well and she is as good as new soon. Please give her a hug from me. Any other questions, please don't hesitate to write.

In memory of my precious little Gilbert who went to the Rainbow Bridge over the holidays. Rest in peace my sweet boy.  http://www.petloss.com

Jacquie Rodgers