Yes Wolfy, and I've seen another parallel in attitudes between ADV and
AIDS.  It was so common that when a friend who was gay would be ill or
die that people would automatically think "AIDS" even when something else
was the cause.  I think that's part of denial, the "It's them not us."
thing.  Have seen the ADV equivalent when a ferret who is related to an
ADV line or in the same household is assumed to have died from that no
matter what the cause.  Think that's part of denial and emotional
distancing, too.  There's a lot to learn about ADV, but we all do need
to take that cause seriously and know that it could apply to any of our
fur-families at some point.  It's not always "the other guy".
 
Have not, yet, gotten my copy of the latest edition of the PDR for herbs,
but have had some requests (back when I first mentioned it) to post
interaction dangers with standard meds after it arrives.  Just had my
memory tweaked so am letting you know that I don't have the book, yet.
Do know from periodicals that echinacea is NOT supposed to be given along
with Prednisone or chemotherapy.  Also, know that true licorice should not
be given if there is a circulatory problem like heart damage or stroke.  A
person here (Sorry, think it was Ela, but not certain.) let us all know
that Stevia is supposed to increase insulin out-put so that would make it a
no-no for insulinoma.  Medicines of any type are complicated; if something
is strong enough to help then it also is often strong enough to to harm if
used wrong.  Anyway, when it arrives I'll look up the herbs asked about in
relation to potentially dangerous interactions.  The new book is supposed
to have an entire section on interactions.
 
Sue, I well remember when no vets were experienced ferret vets (though some
knew a bit); it's not that long ago -- fewer than two decades.  Steve and I
well remember having to find a vet who was up to learning a lot to handle
Fritter when she was very ill; she would up spending long amounts of time
on the phone with people at the AMC in NYC, learning, and she was happy to
get to learn.  What I have almost universally found is that vets are happy
to learn when they get a way to do so.  Can't tell you how many vets we've
given copies of Bruce William's AFIP page, and even in recent timeframes
have passed on that British ADV site, Charlie Weiss' information, and so
on.  We have found that vets LIKE being given information.  Now-a-days
there are also the assorted veterinary text books on ferrets by Karen
Purcell, by Kathy Quesenberry and Liz Hillyer, and by James Fox, and so on.
Provide printouts and routes to more data; you'll find that it tends to be
appreciated.
 
Melissa wrote:
>What if all of us kept a little piggy bank by the computer, and whenever
>we put in our 2 cents worth here on the FML, we dropped 2 pennies (or
>more) into the bank... Oh, and by the way, flames don't count!!  Only
>helpful/informative/beneficial expressions of opinion are worth 2 cents.
 
True.  Destructive flames and flame-baiting should be fined 25 cents.
Ohhhhhh.  Just saw Bill's comment -- like that sum better!  Paper money!
 
Breeding Farms: a source still has to have actually inspected the site
to be considered a reputable source or all that anyone has is only
supposition.  Have had a letter from Physicians Committee for Responsible
Medicine mentioning that some of its things just come from other animal
rights groups without checking.  That doesn't have any power behind it.
Need current, accurate data.  Please, there IS an effort to try to get
same, so let's wait and see what arises from her work BEFORE speaking too
much or it will all backfire on everyone, no matter what the type of
effort.
 
Sue, thank you so very much for a calm and well considered perspective on
an aspect of the issue which recently has been ignored.  You know, we see
that here a lot, too, when people don't adopt from over-crowded shelters
because they want little kits only.  It's a shame.  The ferrets who have
had a bit of a hard time and then find a loving home are at least as good
as companions, and very, very often far more appreciative.  Yes, shelter
ferrets often make the absolutely most cuddly and loving housemates you
can find.  By adopting from a shelter a person helps ferrets in so very
many wonderful ways.
 
Sukie (who is very happy about the rain dragging down the ragweed pollen)
[Posted in FML issue 3184]