FERRET-SEARCH@LISTSERV.FERRETMAILINGLIST.ORG
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Sun, 23 Nov 1997 11:23:32 -0500 |
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As a fellow operator, I can only sympathize. It seems that the surgeries
seem to be cyclical, going for months and months without them, then all of
the sudden, WHAM! 10 ferrets need surgery NOW.
I would say first to objectively look at all of the ferrets requiring
surgery and categorize them first into critical/noncritical. Male ferrets I
would probably lump into the critical category, just because of the
possiblities of prostate/urinary problems that may occur because of the
tumor. Once you have your critical/noncritical, I would then categorize
into the surgical candidates good/notsogood. Then I would march down to
your vet of choice and lay it all down: These are the surgeries that I need
done, and ask for a discount -- nothing ventured, nothing gained. He/She
may suprise you. Try alternatives to surgery, like Lysodren, Lupron or
Flourinef. Consider fostering/adopting them out to other families, with the
possibility of helping with part of the surgical bill. You can ask the
adopters/fosters to have the surgery done at your vet of choice -- thereby
checking up on whether or not the surgery has been done.
As far as thinking that you are a horrible person, you are not. Its obvious
from your post that you are worried about the welfare of the ferrets. Its
one of the hardest things about being a shelter, except for euthanasia. I
am lucky enough to have credit so that if the shelter's bills get to high, I
just pay them. Not everyone is that lucky, I know. Good luck to you and
your fuzzy babies, and please, write me privately and let me know how things
work out. I am sending good thoughts your way......
Lisa
[Posted in FML issue 2134]
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