NTCA - Ferrets

Question 1

Premed anaesthesia

Answer 1

• ACP, 0.1 - 0.3 mg/kg or Medetomidine, 80 - 200 µg/kg
• Buprenorphine, 30 µg/kg IM
• Or Butorphanol, methadone + ketamine
• Prone to cardiac disease (DCM) + endocrinopathies (Cushing’s, insulinoma, diabetes + tumours) - physical exam

Question 2

Induction

Answer 2

Propofol/alfaxalone to effect, cephalic v

Question 3

Maintenance anaesthesia

Answer 3

• Isoflurane
• (+ Sevoflurane)

Question 4

Analgesia

Answer 4

• Meloxicam, 0.2 mg/kg SC

Question 5

Spay

Answer 5

• Midline OVT (similar to cats)

Question 6

Castration

Answer 6

• Scrotal incisions (similar to cats), autolysation technique, no suture material

Question 7

Adrenalectomy / inc adrenal ectopic sex hormone secretion

Answer 7

• To manage adrenal ectopic sex hormone + adrenal tumours
• Midline laparotomy
• Left adrenal - craniomedial to kidney, often buried in fat, potentially fully resectable
• Right adrenal - attached to vena cava (not pos to remove full gland), often buried in fat, debulking may be only option, paediatric satinsky clamp can aid more complete excision (haemoclip/laser techniques incomplete)
• Dec sex hormones + dec symptoms of renal disease