This was a discussion on the FML (Ferret Mailing List) and I will copy
it to the FHL (Ferret Health List) where it may also help people.

Many things affect costs, but here are some:

1. A complicated adrenal surgery is going to cost more than a simple
one.

This is pretty straight forward. A right adrenal surgery is almost
always harder than a left one, but either side can wind up very
involved with blood vessels and be extra difficult or otherwise be
harder than a simple and clean one.

2. The amount of pre-surgical testing needed will affect cost.

Pre-surgical testing is important. Sure, skipping it saves money but it
really increases risks. Blood work beforehand can tell if the animal
should avoid the knife right now, and sometimes indicates that the
ferret might have something that would not be responsive to surgery in
which case the strain of surgery might reduce lifespan. An example of
this is when pre-surgical blood work (a full CBC AND Chem Panel) showed
that Ashling was not dealing with just insulinoma. Instead she had a
carcinoma in her pancreas. A urine concentration test will tell if the
kidneys are up to the stresses of surgery. Not all vets have added this
test to their pre-surgical routine but is really makes sense and is
very affordable. After a certain age or if possible indicators exist
then the heart should be imaged before considering surgery. Just late
last year we had early dilative cardiomyopathy found in a ferret that
way and decided to use Suprelorin and Ferretonin instead of surgery.

3. Post-surgical testing affects costs.

Not all vets do pathology on tissues unless a client requests it.
Knowing what is wrong allows for best care, but pathology adds to
costs, and if the case is hard to diagnose may cost more than
otherwise. Always make sure the lab is one where the staff is
familiar with ferrets. We always have pathology done. It shapes the
post-surgical care.

4. The amount of post-surgical care affects costs.

Some cases are harder than others or the ferrets themselves are not
as strong. They need more or longer hospital care after surgery.

5. Unexpected complications raise costs.

6. Some types of anesthesia are more expensive than others but are
safer. Other medication needs can vary among cases.

7. Location, location, location...

Seriously. Land around here costs about 10 times as much as where
Steve's parents live and our property taxes are about 5 times higher
than they would pay of their place were as small as ours is (and with
them having a larger place on more land they pay 1/4 what we pay. With
higher land cost all the basics cost more. Stores have higher base
costs so their products cost more. Employees have higher living costs
so their salaries need to be higher. You get the idea.

Utilities also vary by location and the difference can really add up.

8. Some vets do not charge for euthanasia for established clients and
then fold that into raised costs for other things.

9. Teaching raises costs but reduces the chances of people accidentally
raising the risk that their ferrets will die after surgery. For
example, knowing how to maintain a safe post-surgical environment with
no climbing and no frolicking for the first 10 days to 2 weeks after
serious surgery, knowing how to hydrate and feed well after surgery,
knowing about temperature control, knowing wound examination, and many
other factors of at home care make a big difference in survival but not
all vets teach those things or write down complete enough instructions
decreed by the specific needs of ferrets as well as the general
instructions for after surgeries. There is a lot in archives on post-op
care.

Sukie (not a vet)

Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
all ferret topics:
http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html
"All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow."
(2010, Steve Crandall)
On change for its own sake: "You can go really fast if you just jump
off the cliff." (2010, Steve Crandall)

[Posted in FML 6992]