I have been fortunate enough to receive this text today and have done a
quick overview of it, with a few sections read completely.  Remember that
I am not a vet while you read this.
 
The book strikes me as perfectly designed for vets or techs who are not
ferret knowledgeable, with one exception.  I think in that regard it might
have been well served by a symptoms guide, similar to the kind of taxonomic
guide found in some comparative mammalian osteology texts, or in an
intensive overview insect guide such as Borrer and White.  Easy example:
mention a symptom such as fur loss then branch out to list other possible
additional symptoms and say which sections to read.  For instance, one
line will branch out to include some common symptoms seen in retained
reproductive tissue or in adrenal growths in addition to fur loss and refer
the practitioner to those sections, another will branch out to list other
symptoms associated with dermal causes such as acne or fungal infections,
etc. with whatever number of branches are needed included to aid in a
rapid diagnosis.  If there is anything like this in there I didn't see it,
but I do think that approach could be a useful diagnostic tool for someone
unfamiliar with the critters.  That's just based on what vets often
couldn't guess from their general vet school studies back before ferrets
were more documented and upon what FML members even now often list their
vets as missing.  General studies simply don't cover some things anyone
treating a ferret should understand.
 
Otherwise, I think that the text is one which ferret owners who are trying
to educate their vets should seriously consider giving their vets as a gift
or recommending.  It is clearly enough written in many sections to be
accessible to either someone who has a good biology background or who has a
good medical or veterinary dictionary, but it does not stint on medication
dosing information, nor on diagnostic test meanings, nor on procedures.  I
think that with the lack of knowledge which too many vets still have on
ferrets it might have been good if each section on specific surgeries or
diseases might have had more on common complications and on prognoses, but
the segments are marvelously organized so that a novice to ferrets can pick
up the text and know what to do and how to do it safely and well, i.e. how
to keep your ferret alive.  For vets who are well experienced in ferrets it
will at times not be hard to exceed the results which the text tends to
indicate.  (For instance, an age of 5 years is mentioned in relation to
insulinoma surgeries but having the best veterinary surgeon, Hanan Caine,
we've ever met practicing locally we have no reservations about doing them
at much older ages or in conjunction with other surgeries.)
 
Information on post-surgical nursing, especially for ferrets which are not
eating, and more on care during severe illnesses would have been good
additions which would not have taken much space; I'm sure Karen felt they
wouldn't be needed since they should be known, but the experiences of some
people here indicate that the few times when they are needed that
information makes the difference between life and death.
 
This book fills a very important gap which has sorely needed filling for
some time and could provide a marvelous way for those whose local vets are
not ferret specialists (or not ready for the texts designed for much more
advanced vets, or not yet interested in them) to obtain the most essential
background in the friendliest form imaginable through a very cohesive yet
complete format.  In addition is "just what the doctor ordered" for vet
techs.  As such it can save a large number of ferret lives.
 
The book is available from:
American Animal Hospital Association
P.O. Box 150899
Lakewood, CO 80215-0899
 
This assessment is based upon quick reading during only one day and can by
no means be considered a complete review.
 
Oh, and I am glad to see the FML mentioned first among the internet
information sources!  (Plus, I now lust over a few of the books Karen
mentioned which I don't have.)
[Posted in FML issue 2814]