From:
julie_fossa@yahoo.com
Date: 2003-07-29 20:25:46 UTC
Subject: RE: Repeated request: the health problems of rescues (Barb Clay may beable to to use this info right now.)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7160082.1059510346088.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
A couple of the things I have noted is the advanced stage of adrenal tumors, despite often minimal external signs. Sometimes, the growths are beyond what my vet has been able to remove not having cryo or laser capability or due to the tumors invading surrounding tissue.
Another problem I have seen with rescues, is the development of diabetes. Zeke (from a 13 ferret rescue) developed diabetes with ketones after adrenal surgery and passed away. Oscar (from a 23 ferret rescue) became a transient diabetic after adrenal/pancreatic surgery. Neither of these rescues involved horrible conditions, as much as a lack of/minimal vet care.
Other things would include mast cell tumors, dental issues and higher incidence of kidney and heart disease. (Hypertrophic is harder to spot)
Larger rescues also can also trigger either stress ulcers or helicobacter. When care for the ulcers and helicobacter doesn't resolve the problem, you usually find hairballs are to blame.
Julie
Author wrote:
> In working with Barbara Clay (who is one of the people you keep
> hearing so much about in relation to the recent rescue situation
> http://www.pooflinger.com/hagerstown/ferrets.html,
> http://www.pooflinger.com/hagerstown/ ) and a dozen other wonderful
> people I adore: Judy Cooke, Steve Crandall, Danee DeVore, Renee
> Downs, Alicia Drakiotes, Troy Lynn Eckart, Julie Fossa, Bill Gruber,
> Linda Iroff, Betty Janner, and Pam Sessoms on getting together
> guidelines for future legal seizure situations we have encountered a
> few areas where more input in really needed. (Legal seizures
> themselves are off-topic so I would be going there in discussion and
> none of us can due to the rules, but the medical considerations are
> very real and very important for saving ferrets' lives. They are
> also completely on-topic for the FHL. If you have info to impart on
> this topic now is an excellent time to do so.)
> One of the gaps in the documentation is the area of the medical
> problems or special medical considerations for ferrets who come from
> very difficult conditions. Alicia has already noted that she finds
> pre-op blood work more necessary for starved ones because more of
> them seem to have trouble with anesthesia. There are a number of FHL
> members who have or have had such rescue ferrets. Could you teach us
> all in case there is something we should know which just hasn't been
> considered or encountered, or which has been forgotten?