In some clinics with multiple vets, the vets are all independently minded
and don't really work as a team.  In others, however, the vets tend to
specialize or take up the slack in the other vet's procedure preferences.
In the first case (independents in one clinic), you'd want only one of the
vets treating your ferret, but in the second, the vet doing the procedure
would be the one best qualified (by training or by preference).
 
For example: The nearest clinic (Clinic #1) to us has several vets
(changing frequently, as the owner-vet employees new vets just out of
college).  Clinic #1 isn't specifically a "ferret" clinic but extreme
emergencies that I can't stabilize for the 45 minute drive to my "ferret"
vet go here first.  At Clinic #1 we see only one of the two 'regular'
vets who know a little (and know they only know a little) about ferrets.
Clinic #2, my primary (ferret) clinic has three vets.  Two of them are
very capable ferret vets.  The third can treat ferrets, but relies on the
expertise of the other two.  One of them, is our 'regular' ferret vet,
but the others can easily 'fill in'.  At Clinic #3, the vet that examines
our ferret, prescribes meds, etc. is NOT the one that does the surgery.
Clinic #3 has a vet whose specialty is surgery, and he does that
exclusively.
 
(Though it seems odd, not ALL vets LIKE to do surgical procedures!
Remember, vets are only human.  Some vets feel clumsy doing surgery on
tiny critters, but are ok with cows & horses.  And just because a vet's
"people skills" aren't very good doesn't mean he's not an excellent
surgeon.)
 
All three clinics are excellent vet clinics, they just operate
differently.  It's always good to get to know all the vets (and vet
techs) at a clinic and get a feel for how the clinic operates.  It makes
you feel a lot more comfortable when it's necessary to leave your fuzzy
in their care.  Don't let the clinical atmosphere intimidate you.  You
can discuss the same things with them that you do with your hairstylist
or grocery store clerk.
 
What you DON'T want is different vets each visit who do little or no
conferencing on cases (reading the medical record does NOT count as
conferencing) and are essentially just different businesses in one
building.
 
As for calling you during the surgery, that's good.  It let's you know
that there's a possibility of something going wrong before receiving it as
a shock after the fact, when you thought it was going to be just something
routine.  Sometimes what they find inside is much worse, or not what they
expected.  Sometimes there is a judgement call to be made, sometimes,
it's just informational, or "just in case" the procedure goes critical
to provide you a shock cushion.  Either way, they're still doing all they
can to help the ferret recover.
 
Debi Christy
Ferrets First Foster Home
 
Practical & easy training, care, & maintenance articles available at
http://www.geocities.com/ferretsfirst/
[Posted in FML issue 3818]