From:
cuteusbelleus
Date: 2002-05-04 15:55:00 UTC
Subject: the value of some medical procedures on your sick ferret
A year and a half ago my ferret was diagnosed with insulinoma
following surgery for adrenal disease. I keep reading posts
about regular bg checks for ferrets. i can see the value of those
tests for diabetes, but not for insulinoma, especially since it is
so stressful to the animal. and after the first time it was done on
Belle (it was 70) and the vet said it could show higher than it
actually is due to the stress response, then we don't have a
accurate reading! it seems to me that vigilance for any subtle
change, since you know what is normal for YOUR ferret is the
way to go, especially since some ferrets act normal at the same
level others are spacy and seizuring. why would i put my belle
through neck vein puncturing if it's not going to be accurate? and
even if it showed 70 and she was acting fine, eating drinking,
energy, etc., what will the vet do with that reading?
If the animal is ill, the less stress you need to put him through
the better.
I also don't see the benefit of a rabies shot or heartworm
prevention on my ferret. She never goes outdoors, there are no
other animals in the household, besides us, and we are fenced
in. Do i exposed her to these chemicals in the one in amillion
event that an infected mosquito or squirrel sneaks into my
house and finds only her among all of us and bites her?
where is the common sense in tthat? it seems that we are
falling into the same medical trap the pharmaceutical
companies have set up for humans and our other pets.
I do see the value of vaccines for airborne diseases, but not this.
I choose not to expose my pet to uneccessary chemicals in her
body, and least the ones i am able to avoid.
My opinion, and i know it will be shared by some and not others.