>From:    "Stines, James"
>Subject: Adrenal Surgery
>
>Possible Barium & X-ray to test for obstruction, white blood cell count
>to test for cancer and some blood test for adrenal disease.  Each test
>is about $150 - 180, two require the drawing 1 cc of blood (which can
>only be done under general anesthesia, more $ and must be sent out of
>state for evaluation)
 
On obstructions, I believe that the general gist of what Dr. Bruce
Williams has been known to say about diagnosing them is that X-rays, even
with barium, will only find about 20% of blockages, less without barium.
A ferret experienced vet through symptoms and palpation will be more
accurate.  On blood draws, it depends on your ferret and the skill of
your vet and their staff whether or not aenesthesia will be required.
I've had a ferret that would hold still for a jugular draw and another
ferret that darned near has to be sedated to draw a single drop.  Those
fees sound high to me as well.
 
>Oh, and the adrenal surgery in TX, it appears that the best cost would
>be at Texas A&M for about $1,000-$1,500, with questionable success!
 
This is absolutely incorrect!  It sounds like the vet you're working
with is not experienced with ferrets, or at least not a competent ferret
surgeon.  There are many surgeons in Texas competent to do that surgery
for a *much* lower fee and several of them in D/FW.  In Tarrant county
try Dr. Greg Moore at Southlake Animal Hospital.  In Dallas County try
Dr. Jerry Murray at the Animal Clinic of Farmers Branch (I think that's
the right clinic name).  Both have plenty of experience with both ferrets
and adrenal surgeries.  I also know that Dr. Moore has cryosurgery
equipment if that is desirable.  The fee mentioned above would choke a
horse!
 
Best of luck,
Debra in Fort Worth
[Posted in FML issue 4129]