> From:    Debbie Riccio <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: SPLEENS, SPLEENS, MORE SPLEENS!!
> closely.  Sometimes it can be just a cold - and other times it can be more
> serious - good medical supervision is required to make that determination.
      There is a product called "Spleenatrate" that helped one of the ferrets
at the shelter.  Let me know if you're interested in the manufacturer.
 
> From:    Laura L'Heureux Kupkee <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: last word on descenting (honest)
> heck of it is totally wrong.  And you can rest assured I for one will not be
> one of those vets who does it `routinely'.
        Good for you Laura!
 
> From:    Laura L'Heureux Kupkee <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: finding a vet, or starving new vet grads
> Sheesh, Pam, if it were up to you all the recent vet school graduates would
> be dead in the water with all those references you want!  (just kidding -- I
        I'm guessing you're really directing this at me, Laura! With your
background, I'm sure the vet would say you are very well qualified! He was
directing (I believe) the comment at vets that take a couple classes and
then advertise that they are "ferret vets." We have seen this in many
cases here in Portland especially when the advice they give is totally
inappropriate for ferrets.
        Your experience working with Drs. Brown and Kawasaki is the best
internship a prospective ferret vet could ask for!  We lawyers-to-be are
in the same boat - getting a good job without years of experience.
Internships are an excellent way of acquiring the knowledge. That is the
sort of background that one *should* look for in selecting a vet.
 
> or food animal is `exotic').  That doesn't mean the vet has to charge more.
> But s/he may if s/he feels his/her expertise in exotics is worth it, and
> rightfully so, within reason.  I don't believe in exorbatant fees in the name
        I totally agree! But charging more just because it is a ferret
without the expertise is something to watch out for. My vet is part of of
chain in Oregon called Companion Pet Clinics which is owned by (drumroll
please!) a *lawyer*! His philiosophy is to provide low cost basic services
so that everyone can own companion pets and afford the basics like
vaccinations. Other services however are also very reasonable. If a vet
has the expertise, you *should* have to pay for it just like any other
service.
 
> From:    Laura L'Heureux Kupkee <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: pet store vs. breeder lifespans
> Oo, ouch, Pam, your treading on dangerous
soil there!  (I'm not picking on you > today, honest!).  While I agree
that the origin of each ferret should be > included in this proposed
collection of data, and I *know* you said `in [your] > experience', I
        Humm, I think either you *were* directing this to someone else or
misunderstood my minimal comment.  All *I* suggested was including the age
at which they were neutered or spayed. We rarely see neutered/spayed
ferrets in a pet store in Portland (e.g. Marshall or Path Valley ferrets).
I got most of my ferrets from the shelter so they are usually 2-4 years
old when altered so I was curious if late altering produces a different
result than earlier altering (other than the obvious differences in
appearance.) This would, however, be a good opportunity to see if there is
any such correlation or none as you propose.
 
 
> From:    Mary and Modern Ferret magazine <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Ferret Onion
> Hi! I'm Sabrina. What is all the fuss about this Ferret Onion? No one here
> likes onions! Not even the humans! I think we should make a Ferret Raisin.
        Speaking of onions, my vet says they are toxic to ferrets! As are
avacados!  This includes any food made with these usbstances including one
pet food (Avoderm?). I believe he said it caused pinpoing bleeding in the
stomach or intestines. Apparently humans are some of the few creatures on
earth that can digest these two foods. Maybe Dr. Williams/Weiss would like
to comment on this?
 
        -Carla
[Posted in FML issue 1156]