From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2009-02-08 19:03:25 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: REALITY check
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "k. dow" <thryn.kat@...> wrote:
>
> I just wanted to weigh in on optimal treatment vs. acceptable treatment.
People are bring up such excellent points, from trying to save
money ahead of time for those hard times ahead (which is also
what we do because for anything or anyone in life hard times
to get through are guaranteed, and that certainly includes ferrets
so we do without other things, we budget, we each have 2% of
after-tax take-home for independent fun money to prevent splurges
while still having our own fun without arguments over those
spending choices, and we keep a weekly budget book tracking
all of our expenses. As a result we have never had to choose to
avoid needed care, even though our own income situation changed
radically several years ago.
It's a matter of telling needs from desires.
BUT sometimes the most expensive option is NOT the best for the
individual, and sometimes a person can't afford the luxury spread
but can provide the needed basic veterinary care.
That also is often a matter of telling needs from desires.
The big thing is that then the basics like medical treatment ARE
provided.
I think that every one of us has been in the situation of weighing
options and deciding that the most extreme alternative is not the
best choice for a range of reasons that happen to be excellent.
That is entirely different from people who provide basics only on and off.
The latter is clearly the type of situation which has gotten out of
hand, and some of those people add animals despite that, sometimes
multiple animals, which simply worsens the conditions for all because
now the same resources are divided even more thinly.
Now, in Kat's case, you know that you have a ferret whose illness
is very advanced and time is limited. Yes, finances have come into
play in the consideration but that does sound like a situation where
perhaps opening the ferret might undermine what time remains. None
of us can see alternative futures for certain; we can only make best
choices and it sounds like you carefully weighed all the options and
did exactly that.
In such a case adding one ferret to soon again be at what you know
to be the manageable number of two ferrets, so that the ferret who
is well will have an easier time with mourning and remain healthier
makes sense to me personally. Heck, our Jumpstart was named that
because we got him to give a jumpstart to Meltdown during her
final illness. (And you may also find that a kit might also help
your ill ferret emotionally during the final weeks or months.)
It is totally different from someone who goes to a veterinarian every
6 months or more to get an implant and depot that the ferret needs
every 3 months, or not having the vet regularly check blood glucose
or a worsening heart to adjust medications that are needed, especially
if that is while adding multiple other animals. When that particular
situation occurs that person is at great risk of becoming a hoarder,
or in some cases may already be and needs to do a very careful self-
assessment while looking into placing at least some animals into
homes where the needed care can be afforded.
Luckily, almost no one gets that far, and also lucky is that of those
who do many realize that they have created an unmanageable
situation and seek ways to get to a balance that they can manage
while being kind to the animals, so in effect they become self-
treating and find workable and loving solutions for themselves,
the ferrets, and anyone who worries about them and their animals.
(Sadly, a few get to the point where intervention and sometimes
legal action happen because they can't think logically about needs.)
The big thing, though, is that for most, we provide regular care
while weighing the options and we try to have only as many animals
and types of animals as we can afford. Some learn in hard ways,
some read ahead and have luck on their side so they learn more
gently what is too much and how to get the basics of veterinary care.
The most extreme levels of care are not always best, but basic
care is essential.
------------------------------------
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