Looking for an excellent, compassionate vet, who is current on the most
up-to-date ferret information and surgical techniques?
 
If you are anywhere near Altoona, PA, go to Lakemont Animal Clinic and
ask for Dr. Kelly Yeager.  (814) 946-4676.
 
Dr. Y. has "been owned by ferrets" for many years.  She currently has
two ferrets of her own.
 
She has just moved her veterinary practice from the Pittsburgh, PA area
to Altoona.
 
Last week, it was determined that it was time for two of my ferrets, Lucy
and Giani, to have surgery.  They had both been on oral pred twice daily
for quite some time, but both were becoming increasingly more lethargic.
So last week I drove 3 hours to Altoona, and spent the night for my
fur-children to have surgery early the next morning.
 
In addition to having multiple pancreatic tumors and more than 1/2 of the
pancreas removed in both ferrets, one ferret also had both adrenal glands
removed: one gland by excision and cryo, the other by cryo.
 
Several years ago, Dr. Yeager treated my little princess, Catter,
bringing her though a bad episode of Insulinoma.  (Catter had suddenly
lost use of her hind end.) After aggressive oral treatment, which
resulted in several weeks of being symptom-free, Dr. Y insisted on
taking Catter to surgery.
 
Everything inside of me screamed: What?????  She's fine now!  "No!  She's
been healthy for 2 weeks--don't mess with it!
 
But Dr. Y insisted.  So on a blustery winter morning, after 13-inches of
snow had been dumped on the city, I made the 1 1/2 hour trip, leaving
Catter with Dr. Yeager.  I was a blubbering mess.  Catter had been happy
and running and playful for 2 weeks.  What if some fluke happened during
surgery and my "healthy" baby died?
 
But Dr. Y was adamant.  And I trusted her judgment.  I would leave Catter
in the capable hands of Dr. Yeager.
 
I willed my feet to take me from the exam room that morning, tears
falling from my cheeks.  I turned at the last second, for one more look
at my gorgeous black roan silver mit, choked back a sob, and grinned.
Catter was being snuggled and kissed by Dr. Y as they exited the other
exam door, heading for the operating room.
 
As it turned out, because of the snow, Dr. Y's other appointments were
light.  So while they awaited their time-slot in the operating room, Dr.
Y took Catter to her office, where she played with her for several hours.
 
Once into surgery, Dr. Yeager's beliefs were confirmed.  Catter's
pancreas was very diseased and along with multiple tumors, a large
portion of the pancreas had to be removed.
 
Had I waited until Catter had another episode of low blood sugar, she
would have been a poor candidate for surgery.  Dr. Yeager had saved
Catter's life, not only by being insistent, but also by her excellent
surgical skills.
 
Last week, Dr. Yeager saved two more of my ferrets, Lucy and Giani, whom
we affectionately call, "G."
 
If you need more information as to why you should drive to Altoona,
please post a note on FML or email me.
 
Ellen J. List
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[Posted in FML issue 4533]