There has been a lot of discussion lately on making sure you can afford
very big vet bills before you get a ferret, especially concerning surgery
for adrenal diseases.  While I agree that we should do this even when
contemplating parenthood for anything, human or animal, there are
instances where extenuating circumstances come up such as family and
financial disasters and emergencies that do occur that you have no
control over.  Does this mean that we should never have the love of our
four-legged families 'in case' we lose our livelihood at some point?  Or
should we immediately find them new homes to take care of them until we
are secure once again 'in case' they become ill?  Maybe I am being a
little too sensitive concerning some of the mail, as I personally faced
a loss of my livelihood and home a while back.  I am still struggling to
get back on my feet, but my babies are receiving unconditional love and
care and are healthy and happy.  I did without a lot to guarantee they
had what they needed. (say boxed mac and cheese anyone?)  They didn't get
new toys, I made their sleeping bags and hammocks by hand with scraps of
material, and I had to go with cheaper litter and food, but it's
dietetically nutritional!
 
I know that adrenal gland disease is fairly common among ferrets, but
please don't let it scare ppl off from being owned by our fuzzy ferts!
I have had 9 fuzzies over the years, and only 1 that needed surgery and
was diagnosed with it!  The sad thing about that was I lost him in less
than 36 hrs of bringing him home, too.  Tinker went into seizures in the
middle of the night, and at sunrise Easter morning passed on.  Tinker and
Sheba were the only ones I didn't lose to old age.  Sheba lost a fight
with that wonderful 'green diarrhea's despite getting subq fluids etc.
 
I had 1 that had to have a non-cancerous growth removed from an ankle,
but other than that, nothing more serious than the usual little bouts
with every day cold/flu type things over the years.  Granted, my babies
didn't come into contact with any other ferrets to pick up illnesses,
BUT I use to work for the Humane Society, and routinely came into contact
with all the different things that dogs and cats picked up as strays and
owner-surrenders that couldn't afford medical care brought in with them.
I spent my share of time combating parvo at the shelter, etc, but always
changed my clothes and sprayed everything I had on me with parvicide
which I kept right inside the door of the shelter and used as I walked
out, and my clothes were washed separately and immediately upon returning
home.
 
The two ferrets that had the most problems were Marshall Farms ferrets,
yes, but I also had Path Valley ferrets and Marshall Farms ferrets that
were healthy most of their lives.  Maybe I should knock on wood, and be
counted as one of the lucky ones, but I have several friends who have
lost their babies to old age without facing adrenal problems or
insulanoma or ECE.
 
Just my 2 cents, and experience.
 
"The greatest gift to receive is the gift of a kind word and a friendship
 you've given to others"
[Posted in FML issue 4536]