>>From:    FerretMom <[log in to unmask]>
>>Subject: Timmy's Tonic
>>Timmy's Tonic contains mostly herbs.  Many of these herbs have been
>>proven to have a beneficial effect=20
>
>Date:    Sun, 29 Aug 1999 01:35:36 -0700
>From:    William Killian - Zen and the Art of Ferrets =
<[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: zen a bit more on controversial topics...
>
>Tested in ferrets?
 
You are absolutely correct.  These herbs have *NOT* been tested on ferrets.
 
When I got home tonight, I checked the package inserts for every single one
of the drugs my vet has prescribed for my ferrets.  I carefully read, then
reread, the inserts for the Baytril, Amoxicillin, Prednisone, Digoxin, and
Enacard.  Had to throw them all out.  Every single one.  Not one of these
has the word "ferret" on the insert.  Is my vet using these products off
label???  You bet!  Does your vet?  Probably yes.  Do they have any
alternative?  Probably not.
 
The only items tested for ferrets are (to my knowledge) Imrab and Fervac.
How did the vets determine the dosage and efficiency of the drugs like
pred, baytril, etc.?  My guess is that they tried them on ferrets -
sometimes with disasterous results (I believe Gentomyicin is one that
comes to mind).
 
Just because herbs are not endorsed by most traditional vets does not mean
they don't work or are harmful.  It could mean the herbs are a threat to
the income of the vet.  Some herbs are harmful.  Some drugs are harmful.
Heck, some vets are harmful to our ferrets.
 
I will continue to use herbs in my life and for my 4-legged children.  I
use them as "complementary" medicine and mostly for problems such as a
cold or as an adjunct therapy for lymphoma or adrenal disease.  My basic
reference text is "The Natural Remedy Book for Dogs and Cats" by Diane
Stein and a good dose of common sense.
 
I think each of us want the best for our precious children but each of us
have a different definition of what we consider to be the best.
 
    -Carla
 
PS. No off-label drugs were harmed in the typing of this post. :)
[Posted in FML issue 2791]