Here's one for the "Bureaucracy Gone Mad" file.  We need immediate help and
advice, preferably from a professional with a lot of letters after their
name.  We live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and we're about to be
steamrolled by an out of control bureaucracy.
 
My wife is pregnant, and has developed Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension.  To
control her blood pressure, she is restricted to bed rest and a nurse is
sent to our home each day to monitor her condition.  Unfortunately, our
little white 3 year old ferret, Sydney, occasionally likes to introduce
herself by nipping.  More unfortunately, she "introduced" herself to one of
the antenatal nurses on Christmas day.  We didn't even realize at the time
that the introduction had occurred, but the nurse claims it did, and that
she drew blood.
 
Imagine our surprise when we received a phone call today from the nurses
informing us that they had reported the incident to the Calgary Regional
Health Authority's Communicable Disease Control office.  This was followed
almost immediately by a phone call from the Communicable Disease Control
people informing us that Sydney would have to be destroyed so they can
examine her brain for rabies.
 
This is insane.  Our vet thinks it's insane.  We're talking about an
incredibly loving, devoted, sociable, well cared for pet that's about as
vicious (and as big) as a ball of lint.  She's never out of the house (or
car, if we take her for a ride), has never been exposed to other animals,
and she gets her rabies shots annually.  There is no question that she's
clear.  When we described all this to the official, along with the fact
that to our knowledge there is little to no incidence of rabies being
transmitted by ferrets, they told us it was irrelevant.  They feel that
there is a possibility that rabies could have been transmitted to Sydney
while she was in the womb.
 
What the **** is the chance of that?  Is it about the same likelihood as
the possibility that Bill Clinton is an alien?  Or that Elvis is alive?
Maybe the Earth IS flat.
 
Essentially, there appears to be no provision for a quarantine period, and
because this all happened today just before their offices closed, we don't
know what recourse (if any) we have at this point.  This is all so stupid
and pointless, I can't believe it's happening.
 
If any veterinary or health care professionals out there have an opinion on
this that may help save Syd from these petty dictators, PLEASE HELP US!!!
Believe me, so far the nurses haven't done much to reduce my wife's blood
pressure, which could be putting both her and the baby at risk.  Sydney is
one of the few things keeping JoAnne sane through all the stress of a
high-risk pregnancy.  As I write this, she has climbed up the couch to
check on JoAnne, and is giving her kisses.  We can't afford to lose Syd,
particularly because we already lost our first two ferrets this year to
adrenal disease and lymphoma.
 
Thanks to anyone who can offer help and support.  Desperately,
Tim Faunt & JoAnne Collinson
[Posted in FML issue 2570]