Hello to all!

I'm a long time reader, first time poster. I've been following the
recent posts about the lady wanting to open a shelter, and I just
wanted to say that I probably would have done exactly what Debbie did
if I had gotten the same type of responses. I completely understand the
concern for the health and well being of the fuzzbutts that would be in
her care. I have only been a ferret owner for a few years now, all of
them rescues from bad homes and/or people that couldn't care for them
anymore. I have read (and continue to read) just about everything I can
get my hands on, and had a "crash course" in just how fast a baby can
go from bad to worse, AND the importance of a ferret knowledgeable vet
with my first adoptee.

I adopted her from my local animal shelter, BECAUSE she looked
ill/unhappy. She was in a small cage in the cat area, and was very
lethargic/mellow for a kit. She was only about 3mo old, and the shelter
volunteer had stated that they had limited funds, and lethargy wasn't
enough to warrant a vet visit to them. Of course they do not get, nor
have much experience with ferrets. I adopted her for THAT reason, and
made a next day appointment with our family vet. We named her Fiona,
and called her Fi-Fi for short. I did not know at the time that my vet
(who IS a good vet) was NOT very ferret savvy. She gave her a 'clean
bill of health' and vaccinated her. Within 2weeks she was still very
lethargic, and I noticed that her breathing was becoming labored. So I
researched every vet within driving distance of my house and selected
the one most renowned in my area for ferret care. After about $300 in
X-rays and testing it was found that she had A LOT fluid in her chest
and her heart was enlarged. Despite the grim outcome I selected for
them to drain what fluid they could out of her chest cavity, and
started a vigorous round of multiple antibiotics and a strict/specific
feeding schedule. Despite my best efforts, she passed about a week
later. It was decided that the fluid in her chest more than came from a
bacterial infection that she had picked up from being locked in that
tiny shelter cage with a cat litter filled box that took up half of
it, and that was a COUNTY run animal shelter. Their inexperience cost
little Fiona her life. That was a few years ago, and thus began my love
for ferrets.

I next adopted 2 females from a neglectful home. One senior (my vet
made it clear that I would have less than a year with her) immediately
had oral surgery to have 3 broken teeth pulled (another $300) because
she had such a bad infection in her mouth. It was painful to watch her
try and eat. She was diagnosed with insulinoma shortly after, and was
on prednisolone (approx $30/mo here) until she crossed the bridge last
summer when the insulinoma had progressed passed the point of being
manageable with meds and karo. Another senior I adopted passed shortly
after. They were a great comfort to each other and became very close
very quickly.

Next was a male and female from a college kid that didn't have the
first clue about ferrets (and luckily couldn't keep them because her
roommate was allergic) She did not know that one had recently had ECE
(which can be transmitted via poo-poo for up to 9months after symptoms
have diminished) A week in quarantine with normal/healthy behavior...
still led to my other female being rushed to the vet, then to the
university where they told me her chances of survival were very slim.
She stayed at the university overnight, then her and her (not kidding)
bag full of meds came home with me, because they told me it would be a
waste of money to keep her there. I still saw life in her though, and
spent the next 3 weeks tirelessly feeding a mix of a/d critical care,
duck soup, chicken baby food, and pedialyte every 2-3hrs. Not to
mention the 4 different meds multiple times daily. (Total cost $700)
She's been happy and healthy ever since, though she still has biting
issues when it comes to strangers (of the human variety) hah ha.

I ended up in the hospital for a month last year and had to rely on my
family to care for my babies, a mistake I will NEVER make again. My
specific and detailed instructions were NOT followed by any means.
To the point of changing their food (to some nasty corn based crap)
because no one would take the time to 'special order' their usual
high protein food. True to form one of my babies refused to eat it,
and starved to death. They also removed the barricade to the kitchen
(because they didn't want to step over it, literally) allowing one of
my babies to escape the house via the drier vent. LUCKILY, he met me
on my front steps the day after I got home from the hospital. I was
so upset at the blatant neglect and disrespect my family showed for
my wishes I could have killed them (figure of speech...kind of)
 
Fast forward to present day. I have 5 babies 4boys, 1girl (the ECE
survivor, now considered senior status) I only had 3 for awhile, but
took in 2 babies a few months ago (both under a year) from a friend
that found out they could not take them to where they were being
restationed (military family) One of my 3yr d boys is started to show
signs of adrenal disease earlier this year, but has since started
regaining weight and become a lot more active again. Other than that,
everyone is happy and healthy. Keeping them that way costs me about
$100/mo (food, healthy treats, bedding, potty pads, etc) That monthly
cost does NOT include the cost for yearly check ups, vaccinations, or
ferret proofing my house, (open cage, they free roam), or cleaning
supplies. It is not uncommon for me to spend between $2000-$3000/yr in
medical expenses ESPECIALLY when emergency medical care is needed. I AM
NOT A SHELTER!!!! This is just what I spend to keep MY babies happy,
healthy, and up to date medically!!! Not to mention the 2-3hrs I spend
daily cleaning since they free roam!!! I will be replacing ALL of the
carpet in my house with hard wood laminate flooring within the next few
months JUST to cut down on cleaning time, hah ha. I spot clean carpets
daily, and shampoo them with the carpet cleaner (awesome investment
for any fuzzbutt owner in my opinion) about once a week! If the woman
interested in running a shelter reads this I want to stress AGAIN that
I DO NOT RUN NOR OPERATE A SHELTER THIS JUST IS WHAT I SPEND/DO FOR MY
5 BABIES. I have great respect for shelter moms and dads, and all that
they do!!! They work harder, longer, and dedicate most of their time to
caring for babies that have been neglected, abused, and abandoned than
most people will ever realize!! ANY vet tells someone that 'ferrets
don't need regular visits' to ensure health, or vaccinations...is not
very ferret knowledgeable in my opinion. Find a ferret knowledgeable
vet, and you will hear the COMPLETE opposite!

I spend more on my babies than I do on myself!! As I'm sure most
furparents do Hah ha!

I do not know if what I spend/do would be considered 'excessive,'
however, I have been told that I take better care of my fuzzbutts
than most people do of their kids, hah ha!!

I recently took a week and half trip to visit family. Before leaving I
recruited a close friend to stay at my place during my trip and left
SIX PAGES of detailed instructions. Everything from the minimum number
of hours to play with them, when to change the water, where they like
to poop, where to look when you can't find them...I even made him send
me pictures of each one every day!!! I admit the last request may have
been a bit excessive, but I was taking NO chances after what happened
the last time I was away from them!! He abided by everything down to
the T. My fuzzbutts ARE my kids, and if there ever comes a day when I
can no longer care for them, I sure as heck would not give them up to
someone that thinks starting a shelter consists of taking of babies
while not having the proper knowledge or funds to do so.

Marie
(Mommy to Sadie, Loki, Thor, Zeus, and Brodie

[Posted in FML 8160]