Diane wrote:
>Now my question............I was wondering about the above statement if
>this is true then how does NYC get away with banning ferrets?
 
Diane, that aspect is part of the lawsuit currently underway in NYC, just
as the incursion of the city administration into city legislative realms
is also part.  I am hoping that we will all be given an update as this
progresses to the point where anything can be said.
 
I am so HAPPY to read of people giving to places which actually help
ferrets!  The recent posts about and discussions with places which hurt
ferrets (despite the names of the groups: PETA, AVAR, some rare humane
groups) will hopefully lead to those groups learning actual FACTS and
helping ferrets, as well as resulting in ferret people NOT giving to those
groups until they clean up their acts -- which means more money could be
available for ferret-friendly shelters, veterinary-care-advancement
charities, etc.  In terms of our donation pattern we usually make a few
large ones a few times a year, but others find small and regular ones best
suit their budgets.  We like the approach of sponsoring specific ferrets
which must be shelter-kept due to serious medical problems, too since that
creates a bond.
 
There are probably AT LEAST 15,000 ferrets represented on the FML.  That
should give the handful of illness and death reports a matrix into which to
fit the number.  It doesn't seem so large in perspective, does it?  The
health info helps with early diagnosis and SAVES lives, which is really
marvelous!!!!!
 
So glad to read about Zen, the "cancerous" ferret, being misdiagnosed, and
so very, very glad that you checked.  It happens at times and is one reason
why so many people get upset when ferrets are put down right after a bad
diagnosis.  Fortunately, more and more people have the kind of common sense
you have because they learn form posts like your's.  THANK YOU SO VERY
MUCH!
 
(Oh, and for others: adrenal growths are NOT necessarily cancer; they can
also be benign -- fortunately for us all, and even when malignant they can
at times be encapsulated.  I hope that when the worst is encountered that
treatment like excision and perhaps chemo prove sufficient.)
 
Yes, it IS worth treating heart disease and can mean the difference between
a rapid and painful death, as opposed to a period of prolonged fine health
and then gradual fading till it's time to say goodbye.  We have added from
several months to close to a year with treatment and those have been happy
ones.  I need to put some things together because Meesh Meesh has passed on
some more recent info to me, so I might send you send my old write-up which
is somewhat (but certainly not entirely) out-dated by recent work as well
as her comments if you desire, despite the length.
[Posted in FML issue 2913]