For those who had sent us replies on finding a home for our cows, well
we finally have a home for them!  They are going to a very nice lady in
Mississippi and she is even going to pay to have them shipped.  She will
keep us updated on them as time goes by.  Once we get their traveling
certificates and copies of their rabies shots, they will be on their
way.  Thank you everyone for your help.
 
I had posted about a ferret kit at a Petco that I was interested in.  I
had actually just paid for him when my husband found the lump on his
throat.  I panicked and they returned my money and put him in isolation,
sale pending on results of his vet visit.  I since had been visiting him
and holding him, rocking him (he would almost fall asleep in my arms)
etc.  Yes I was and am attached to him.  He was actually my birthday
present.  The manager was going to ask the regional manager about
possible adoption or buying him and me signing a waiver not to hold Petco
responsible for health, etc.  (my idea).  Come to find out, the manager
over this manager said I could not come to visit him anymore because it
was too stressful on him taking him in and out of his cage.
 
Oh yeah, he (I named him BooBoo) was so stressed out that he would play
with fingers, pocketbook strap and fall asleep while I rocked him like
a baby!  I can understand that maybe it does stress him out and I will
leave him alone and not visit.  I was also told that once they got him
better, they would sell him, not adopt him out (he is deaf also).  He
is on antibiotics till he goes in for his next vet visit.  The vet he
is going to is not ferret knowlegable but is an exotic vet.
 
My concern is:
have they aspirated the lump they are treating with antibiotics?  Could
this lump be Juvenile lymphoma or a saliva gland that needs surgery and
if so, are they going to have this vet do the surgery???  I want this
ferret no matter what the outcome but do not want their vet doing the
surgery if it is needed, I would rather him go to a ferret vet who has
experience and knows what they are doing.  The regional manager said no
to selling and will not adopt him out also, that this is policy.  They
will not bend.  My fear is that if this ferret's lump is a benign tumor/
abcess (which they say it is) which I hope it is, is there anyway I can
make them sell him to me exclusively and not someone else?  I absolutely
adore this ferret and have bought him toys, hooded sweatshirt and other
items as well as a ferret playpen for our living room to keep him
separated from the other ferrets for 30 to 60 days.  I have a few friends
trying to persuade these managers to release him whether he be paid for
or adopted out but no luck.  The last time I saw him was Sunday night and
his lump looked to be the same size but the manager Monday said it was
getting smaller????
 
My fear is this Petco may not let me have him now after causing such a
stir over worrying about him.  I did not want to get anyone in trouble, I
just want this ferret to be seen by a competent ferret vet and of course
I want him for myself.  I have been reading different things about lumps
on the throat, anywhere from abcesses, saliva glands to juvenile lymphoma
and read they need immediate treatment and if it is a saliva gland,
antibiotics usually do not work and surgery has to be done but it is
tricky due to nerves in the area.  Does anyone have any other ideas as to
how to get this ferret to a good vet while they have him?  and to assure
I will get him?  There is something about this little guy that has really
touched my heart from the minute I first held him.  What really stinks is
that I have to wait to call about him till next Monday!
 
I am so sorry to read about recent losses of ferrets, my heart goes out
to each and every one of you.  Though I may not individually email you,
I am very sorry for your loss.
 
Eleanor, Donald and the  6 pack of ferrets (hopeful to be 7)
[Posted in FML issue 5301]