I agree that the fight which led to this statement is annoying, but I
can't agree with:
>Like no one has ever shared their RX (prescription for those that don't
>know) with anyone else???  Human RX's that is?
 
We have an elderly relative who has permanent brain damage and one
possibility that the physians think may have been the cause (He's
refused testing and didn't have a medical Power of Attorney.) is because
another elderly family member figured medication sharing was safe to do.
We've been told that this is NOT an unusual cause, especially among the
elderly.  He's just been placed into a full care facility last week
(after being first in an assisted setting, then home with four aides
sharing duties).  This is someone who was absolutely brilliant and just
totally kind.
 
Never share meds without expert okays.  Get physician okays first for
human sharing just as you get veterinary okays beforehand for using any
meds on ferrets.  ALL medications (including alternative ones) have
cautions, counter-indications, etc.  When something is strong enough to
help it is strong enough to harm.
 
On the other hand, vets do come to know who is reliable in assessments
and in doing home care and this can be very important for the ferrets
because it reduces the ferrets' stress levels.  On the other hand, if the
vet doesn't feel comfy doing it then the vet finds the extra precaution
necessary because of any of a number of factors: the person just not
grasping the principals, that particular med needing caution, the medical
problem(s) being one(s) which require regular veterinary assessment, etc.
 
And folks should never forget that there are things which are safe for
most (never all) humans which can kill ferrets.
[Posted in FML issue 4375]