Before you read about this new service, don't forget that there are options
already existing for learning about the typical diseases in ferrets, and
for finding vets, shelters, and ferret groups in your area to help you.
Keep these websites handy for references and also use them to link to other
pages which will interest you:
 
1. http://www.ferretcentral.org
2. http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html  with info on getting help from
   Bruce Williams for consultation in case you are interested on difficult
   cases at http://www.afip.org/ferrets/webconsults.html
3. http://www.netfopets.com/starferrets.html
 
Now, on to the new addition.  When there were the mysteries the summer of
'98 a group of vets I know to be excellent ferret specialists from many
parts of the country were discussing those in a group I got together.
Since then this list has helped with some ferrets that were puzzling their
treating vets for other reasons.  Except for me all the current members are
vets which is the way it will stay and I am a mum member.  At first the
group was quite informal but there were a few problems with individuals who
did not let the vets know afterward how things turned out, and then finally
there was someone who faked a case.  The result was that this resource
which might have helped ferrets with mysterious problems had to go away for
a while.  You see, the reward these vets get for doing this work is to
learn from the mysteries, and being among the best vets available they
enjoy learning.  Having the information to help more ferrets is not much
for them to require in return.
 
Now this resource to help with baffling cases is back but with rules:
 
I. If OWNERS want to use this resource they will first get in touch with
 
   A. their names and
   B. a phone number where they can be called collect in case ony of the
      vets want to discuss an aspect of the case
   C. information on the treating vet(s):
      1. the name(s),
      2. practise name(s),
      3. location(s), and
      4. phone numbers(s) of the treating vets, with
      5. an indication of who is the primary treating veterinarian
 
II. The primary treating veterinarian has to have already agreed to use
consultants on this particular case.  No one wants to upset other vets by
offering services that might not be desired and therefore will not do so.
If your vet is not open to consultation but is also puzzled, please, use
all the appropriate webpages above to tackle that barrier instead.
 
III. At this point a CONCISE case summary with any OBJECTIVE DATA
available (such as the numbers from a CBC, or your VET'S comments on
x-rays, and medications by name) should be provided to the vets by writing
to me at [log in to unmask], complete with all the information
mentioned in both the above sections.
 
IV. It may sometimes be necessary for the consulting vets to ask for
pictures in some cases.  Be aware of this and if you have a puzzling case
check with nearby friends and services to find out who can scan, compress
and send a photo for you should it come to that.
 
V. If surgical procedures are done then pathology must also be done with
the results passed on to the consulting vets verbatim from the reports
received by your vet.
 
VI. If death occurs, necropsy and pathology MUST be done; your vet will be
told this and for your part you will provide your vet with a written
agreement to do patholgy for any surgeries, and pathology and necropsy upon
death beforehand.  Mysterious cases present learning opportunities which
can then teach multiple other vets and vet students (Some participants are
veterinary professors.).  If these final steps are not taken an opportunity
to help future ferrets has not been accomplished; meanwhile, extremely busy
professionals who are in very high demand will have sacrificed their time
and then been treated like doormats.  No one deserves to be trampled upon
in exchange for a gift given.  -----
 
Things the list does NOT do:
 
I. It is not going to provide home remedies; it is expected that those who
get to the point of needing to avail themselves of this service are using
their local veterinary hospitals and resources already.  This is not a
personal cost-cutter.
 
II. It will not provide info on otherwise saving money or changing vets.
Besides those being very awkward things to ask of the participants they may
not be the best for the ferret's health, and these folks are experts in
ferret veterinary needs -- not consumer consultants.
 
III. It won't take cases from people other than the OWNERS.  IF YOU KNOW
SOMEONE WHO WANTS THIS HELP WRITE THEM AND TELL THEM TO WRITE TO ME RATHER
THAN FORWARDING A LETTER TO ME.  Like many things this had been informal up
to now, but now it has to get strict.  A person without internet access may
first write using your address but must then provide the data required for
future contacts by collect phone calls instead -- except when it would be
more logical for information to be sent again from your address, as in
copying the information from test and pathology reports.
 
IV. It won't give information on other people's pets to non-owners (though
what is learned from a case may be passed along to help other ferrets).
 
V. It isn't interested in politics.
 ----
 
As said before, this list is specifically to help with confusing cases, and
to then use that information to help future ferrets and their owners.  For
standard medical problems the resources listed at the beginning of this
letter will prove invaluable since two include text on common medical
problems, and the third on finding veterinary help and nearby contacts who
may provide recommendations to you.
 
The rules being used are mostly derived the rules Bruce Williams uses in
his individual consultations with adjustments for the format.
[Posted in FML issue 2597]