Greetings all.  I just had to share this story with you all as I am sitting
here in utter disbelief.
 
I have a 3 year old male ferret (Fee) who began to show clinical signs of
adrenal disease.  I'm talking clear cut - no question.  I took him to my
ordinary vet, who had previously done nothing but check-ups and shots for
both of my ferrets (that would be Fee and Milly Grace).  An ultrasound
was recommended, completed and deemed inconclusive (despite a very slight
enlargement of the left adrenal - HELLO?).  Recommendation was to wait 3-6
months and do a second ultrasound.
 
Unhappy with this recommendation, I sought recommendations from you all for
a ferret specific vet (as this vet obviously was not).  I also did quite
a bit of research on adrenal disease, its symptoms and complications.  I
found a wonderful vet who immediately diagnosed Fee with adrenal disease
with a physical exam.  He did an ultrasound of his prostate which was
slightly enlarged and undoubtedly would begin to cause problems in the very
near future.  With a prescription of antibiotics and an appointment for
surgery on Tuesday, Fee and I left very happy with the consultation.  To
finally find someone compassionate to truly help was such a tremendous
relief to me.
 
Of course, I was outraged with the initial vet.  If I had followed his
advice, Fee most likely would have been dead before I could get him in
for the second ultrasound.  I was never told of ANY of the possible
complications of a male ferret with adrenal by this first vet.  I mean
NOTHING.  Nothing was mentioned about alternative testing for adrenal
disease.  All of which I discovered on my own.  Not to mention that the
staff (both receptionists and techs) are rude and don't listen to me.
I'll spare the details.  I called the initial vet this morning to voice
my outrage.  Of course, he was arrogant and defensive and demanded to
know the name of the vet with whom I consulted.  I begrudgingly told him,
foolishly thinking this would validate my horror with his diagnosis.
 
This initial vet actually called the ferret friendly vet and basically
asked him how he dared to question the initial diagnosis!  The conversation
was so confrontational, the ferret friendly vet is now refusing to do the
surgery on Fee!!!  The ferret friendly vet's wonderful office manager has
been in contact with me and we are trying to resolve the issue but it
doesn't look promising.
 
When I again called the initial vet, he retorted by saying the ferret
friendly vet must not have been all that comfortable with his diagnosis if
he canceled the surgery.  He began the conversation by denying he had even
talked to the ferret friendly vet, only later on in the conversation did I
get him to admit he had spoken with him (he started by claiming it had been
someone else in his office).  He claimed the conversation was "friendly"
and only to consider the best interests of the ferret.  Yeah, right - the
ferret he more or less condemned to die!  He also told me that the
prostate/urinary complications with male ferrets are very rare and that he
has never once seen one in his practice (could it be he's killed all of
these poor male ferrets before he could see such complications?).  Because
this post already so long, I am leaving out a LOT of the ridiculous things
he said to me that would undoubtedly make your skin crawl.
 
I am irate at this idiot's complete lack of professional judgment.  It is
completely within my rights to seek a second opinion for my ferret if I
deem it appropriate.  He had no business placing that call - for any
reason.  But having his ego threatened was apparently too much for this
creep.  At this point, I am focusing my attention back onto getting Fee
into a good vet (I do have other recommendations to follow up on) and
getting his surgery done.  Then, this pathetic excuse of a vet will
experience my wrath.
 
I have omitted all names here as inclusion of names has gotten me into this
mess.  Feel free to contact me privately and I will share both the good and
the bad.  Thank you for allowing me to vent.
 
Melissa Sullivan
[Posted in FML issue 3179]