Message Number: SG14406 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2005-06-19 17:50:23 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: Very sick, older ferret. Please help!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <4536327.1119203863702.JavaMail.nobody@vanadium.smartgroups.com>

While I don't have any answers other than those Sukie
already gave, I am appalled that a vet would give up
on an eight year old ferret without so much as an
examination.

You mentioned Nike was bald. Let's, for the sake of
argument, assume it's adrenal disease. Let's also
assume Nike couldn't survive surgery at this point.
Why wasn't lupron considered? When Podo's adrenal
disease recurred at age nine and a half we gave him
lupron and it worked wonders. He was also treated for
cardiomyopathy and insulinoma at that age. With the
right medication we were able to maintain an excellent
quality of life until almost age 10.

I have the same reaction to the blood and stomach
problems. Surely an examination and appropriate
medication could be considered.

I personally think you need to find a good ferret vet.
If there is none in your area consider traveling out
of area. One or two trips might buy you quite a bit
of time for Nike.

I wonder how many vets would have given up on our
Nyssa by now. (Age seven, diagnosed with lymphoma
last November.) She's really been hanging in there
and has been quite active the last few days. She's
still our dominant alpha, our ferret-in-charge.

In your place I would not give up on Nike just yet.
It may come to that, but at least have an examination
by a vet who really knows ferrets first.

All the best,
Caity and the fantastic five