From:
cuteusbelleus
Date: 2002-05-07 13:05:00 UTC
Subject: Re: the value of some medical procedures on your sick
ferret
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "sukieferret" <sukiecrandall@t...>
wrote:
> > 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
>
> Certainly behavioral changes are essential to watch.
>
> We have not had the problems that you had with blood tests.
> What we do to reduce stress is that Steve and I hold the ferrets
> and we provide treats while blood is drawn. The stress level
is
> minimal; they've actually usually mind the alcohol swab more
> than the blodd drawing.
>
> Remember that some ferret have hidden insulinoma; they
> adjust. The problem is that not catching it till it is advanced
can
> make it harder to treat.
>
unfortunately, my ferret was never one to cuddle too much, she
is squirmy as heck even if a treat is available. i see the test
valuable as a diagnostic tool, but ongoing every two weeks deal
as some owners promote, i don't agree. The stress to some
ferrets outweighs the benefit ( which i don't see, as prednisone
can't be regulated as effectively as insulin is following a blood
test, for example)
> > 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
>
> Do you ever have mosquitos get into your house? Exposure to
> heartworm isn't exactly hard to acheive for someone in an area
> that is prone to it, and even in areas where it is uncommon you
> learn of some who get it.
>
yes, but the laws of probability are in my favor. I have seen one
mosquito in the house in the 4 years i've been here, and it never
hovered over the cage, and even if it did, the chances that IT was
carrying a worm are not that high.
Giving ongoing medication which is a poison or how else can it
kill?, to a pet who is at a very low risk of exposure it's putting that
pet at risk for other things due to the toxic chemical. I used to
say the same thing when i worked for a vet: if a mosquito gets
in..... but now i see the absurdity in my case. The mosquito has
to be a carrier, has to enter the house, has to find an animal
sleeping in a cage in a cube, o r the cupboards, has to decide to
sting him instead of the hairless humans. Can someone
calculate the probability on this? Exposing her to a poison on a
regular basis, in my opinion, is more irresposible.
> The rabies vaccinations also provide protection in case
anyone
> claims that your ferret bit him or her. One very sad reality of the
> years before the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control
> changed is that one would periodically read about ex-
boyfriends
> or ex-girlfriends who made accusations, and certainly many
> recall when an elderly man scratched himself on Kodo's cage
> and Kodo was ordered destroyed.
>
This is the best reason i've heard for a rabies shot in my case.
The best argument so far that will convince me, if i didn't have
another choice. I will keep my daughter's friends away from her.
They are the only strangers in this house. My vet had a similar
statement and unfortunately, in this lawsuit happy society, it
makes sense.
> Besides, at times bats do get in, and there are bat species
> which are rabies vector animals. Granted, very few of them are
> going to be infected, but it's such a truly horrible disease, and
> sometimes there simply are bad years for it's spread as is
> happneing this year in much of New England, the Middle
Atlantic,
> and Kansas (possibly other areas as well).
thank you for that. My daughter would love to see some bats
around, but in my area they are becoming scarce due to nesting
area destruction, plus you get rid of bats you get more
mosquitoes......
again the laws of probability are in my favor. I just want some
owners with similar circumstances not to feel like they have to
accept everything promoted as preventive. weigh which is more
probable and then decide, especially if the pet is already battling
a disease, they don't need all the poisonous chemicals the
pharmaceutical co. are pushing.
Thank you sukie for the advise on the blockage. She had the
surgery and a rubber nipple tip was still in her stomach two
weeks later. she is now recovering