Dear John,
I am not a vet, but I am a veterinary technician with about 15 years
experience with ferrets, both domestic and the endangered wild black-footed
ferret which you have at the Toronto zoo.  My medical credentials are both
formal and practical.  I have run a shelter for domestic ferrets in Colorado
for the past five years, with several hundred ferrets coming, going and
benefitting from the shelter's medical outreach program.  Local vets refer
stubborn cases to us, either calling for our suggestions or asking us to
care for an animal.  I have two years of formal vet medical training.
 
I have reviewed Buddy's history, both your comments and the lab results from
his surgery.  I have considered what is going on now, and my instincts say
that after this period of time either there was a more extensive disease
process going on at the time of the adrenal surgery which has now come to
the forefront with Buddy's increasing age, or again, due to his age, you
have a whole new disease situation.  Because of his history of cancer (the
adrenal malignancy), he is in the category of being predisposed to recurring
problems.  I want to tell you to be optimistic, but I cannot honestly say
that I see it that way.  I think you are seeing the last stages of cancer,
probably either pancreatic (a lack of appetite is an indication here) or
liver, possibly having metastasized from pancreas to liver.  My inclination,
were I in your position (and I have been many, many times), is certainly to
get your vet's best diagnosis, but most of all to keep Buddy at home during
his last days.  Love him, make him comfortable, give him anything he wants
and will eat, and set up your protocol to take care of him when he gets
uncomfortable--that is keep in close contact with your vet; ask for the best
after-hours procedure if Buddy gets really sick when the office is closed
and you need to take him in.  We owe them the best in death as well as in
life and we can't count on pain-free last hours, so it is our responsibility
to be prepared.  The time frame may not be as long as would be hoped.
 
I would like to be wrong in all of this, and hope Buddy surprises us all,
but should that not be the case, and should you need a friend to talk to,
don't hesitate to call me at (719)391-2627.
 
Warm regards to you and your fine friends.
                    Carolyn Kinsey
                    Ferret Rescue of the Western States
[Posted in FML issue 1417]