Tiny Timmy Two Teeth came to the Ferret Friends of Indian River County
Shelter on Feburary 8, 1995.  Tiny Timmy had been found behind a Winn Dixie
Store off 20th Street in Vero Beach, FL.  When Timmy was taken for his
incoming medical on 2/9/95 it became evident that Timmy had been abused
X-Rays of his head and upper jaw revealed an old fracture of the Nasal
Septum and Upper Jaw.  He also had a hole in his lower lip.  Timmy also
tested negative for HEARTWORM.  We kept Tiny Timmy here until April - he was
a loving boy who gave great kissy face to the shelter mom, dad, other
ferrets and shelter dogs Max and Rags.
 
Due to the Heartworm Positive test we decided to take Tiny Timmy to the
number one Heartworm Specialist (Ferrets) in the U.S.  We transported Tiny
Timmy to Gainesville, Fl to be treated at West End Animal Hospital by Dr.
Debra Kemmerer.  Tiny Timmy arrived in Gainesvill in April of 1995.
 
On arrival at West End Animal Hospital an ultrasound was done and it
revealed many Heartworms in Tiny Timmy.  Dr. Kemmerer started Timmy's
treatment (which lasted 12 weeks).  At the end of the treament another
Ultrasound was done and Heartworms still appeared.  Dr. Kemmerer did not
give up she scoured the medical community to inquire regarding heartworm
treatment.
 
In Late July a new drug appeared for heartworm patients and Dr. Kemmerer
started Tiny Timmy on the treatment when she received the medication in
August.
 
Tiny Timmy improved on the new medication and all seemed well.
 
This afternoon at 2:37 EST I received a call from Dr. Kemmerer - she told me
Tiny Timmy crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning.
 
Dr. Kemmerer did the autopsy and found that Tiny Timmy was FREE OF HEARTWORM.
Tiny Timmy surcummed to Insolumina (spelling) of the intestine.
 
Dr. Kemmerer will be sending the written report and we should receive it in
the next two or three days.
 
Tiny Timmy Two Teeth has helped many ferrets . The Heartworm treatment for
Tiny Timmy and  Knowledge  gained on how to treat heartworm  in ferrets and
Dr. Kemmerer's paper on Heartworm treament for ferrets will help hundreds of
Vet's save ferret lives.
 
In the last five years I have heard sorrow, grief, and tears from those who
have spoken to me of their ferrets crossing Rainbow Bridge.  Today I talked
to a Veterinarian who had done everything that could have been done for a
ferret that the Veterinarian and her staff had grown to love - they had lost
THEIR ferret Tiny Timmy Two Teeth - I have never heard such sorrow or pain.
 
In your prayers tonight Please remember Dr. Kemmerer and her staff - they
have suffered a great loss.
 
Tiny Timmy Two Teeth has crossed the Rainbow Bridge and is happily playing
with Stephen Claire and the AGEDOG.
 
Dr. Kemmerer and Vets like her:  "Ring the Living Bell" and "Sing the Living
Song"  and you and I are lucky to have them "Sing for living Life"
 
Thank the Universe for Vets who Sing for Living Life.
 
Chere McCoy and the Shelter kids
[Posted in FML issue 1392]