From:
"k. dow"
Date: 2009-02-08 09:16:47 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: REALITY check
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Great post, Sukie.
I just wanted to weigh in on optimal treatment vs. acceptable treatment.
Especially now, when so many ferret shelters have closed up shop, when
so many good ferret owners are falling on financial hardship, and when
so many people are trying to rehome pets, I think those faced with an
ill animal are not necessarily bad if they choose to treat an illness
as a hospice case rather than opting for a more expensive treatment.
Especially given the trouble ferrets can have adjusting to a new home,
I think an older ferret with a disease is often better off not being
rehomed.
Now, this assumes the person still is able to provide for the ferret's
basic needs: decent food, water, attention and -- at the least --
supportive medical care.
My personal example follows, though it's really a judgment call.
I have three ferrets. One is a little over six years old, and like so
many others, he is insulinomic. In the few short months since
November, he has gone from being stable on .4 mg of pred twice a day
to .8 mg three times a day.
I had him evaluated for surgery, but I am unlikely to go through with
it. Some of my reasoning is based on his overall case -- it's very
possible that we would open him up to find out little could be done.
But he is heathy enough to go under the knife. Much of my reasoning is
financial. My local vet is not comfortable doing insulinoma surgeries.
The specialist in Tampa has a state of the art facility ... and I
coudl expect to spend $1200 on the low end for the surgery.
I work in the newspaper industry. I fully expect I may be laid off by
the end of the year.
Most of my past insulinomic ferrets have done well on lower doses of
pred for a much longer time period. I worry that he will fail soon
without surgical intervention. But he might also fail with it.
Diazoxide may be a viable option so long as I am employed, but may or
may not provide relief.
All the same, I feel that rehoming my ferrets is not the best
decision. I will treat his disease as long as I can without breaking
the bank ... and I will keep him happy, in the home he knows.
Now, surgery could be a dicey decision in my case *anyway*. But the
fact remains that I am leaning toward forgoing it for reasons that are
largely financial. And yet, I am considering adopting another --
because Tessa, my youngest, needs a playmate.
When a person's finances impede eir ability to provide essential care,
rehoming is clearly the best option. But, especially now, in this
economic climate, I would not excoriate someone for providing only the
basics in health care, if e is providing a loving, caring home.
-Kat
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