ok guys, I need some help here regarding a new ferret.  Co-worker stated
that his neighbor found a lost ferret, and given she could not keep him,
would we take him?  We're at a happy 14, but could not say no.  Picked
him up, and the smell was horrific.  He had matted dark yellow crusties
all over his belly and hind end.  Dehydrated and could barely walk.  Big
beautiful black eyes, and what should be a white coat with gray guard
hairs.  His body fur is yellow, am assuming from poor diet.  Took him
immediately to a vet we don't know as ours is gone til tomorrow.  This
vet did x-rays, labwork, including a Tenn. panel.  This secondary to the
enlarged prostrate seen on x-ray, and possible adrenal mass as well.
 
The crusties were from a pus-like exudate coming from his urethra.  This
doc put him on amoxicillin orally, and Lactated Ringers subQ for the
dehydration.  This was a week ago.  This little guy is still a bit
dehydrated, and will only eat willingly , of all things, dog food kibble!
Won't touch chicken soup, ferret food, or even kitten food.  Now the
problem.  The 'owner' of this fuzzie found out who had had him, and went
to her place.  She (the finder) had just given him to my co-worker for
transport.  She did give the owner my phone #.  This was on last Monday
night, and it took until Thursday for the 'owner' to call, stating she
wanted him back.  This 18 year old did describe him (sans pus and
dehydration), but could not even tell me if he was neutered!  Said she
had gotten him from a friend of a friend!  I told her we are still
trying to keep him alive, and had spent $300.00 already in meds and
tests...would she be willing to repay us?.  She said she couldn't all at
once.  I also informed her that if the labs came back showing he was
adrenal, he would need surgery (another 400.00) as well.  (Money wasn't
the real issue...I wanted to see if she felt he was 'worth it')
 
Given the state he was in, her lack of care, including most likely caged
most of the time, I'm real reticent to give him back.  Sounds like he's
been passed from place to place with poor care, and little love n hugs.
Should I really take the time to see if the owner can be educated re the
care of fuzzies, the owner responsibilities etc.  Or just not send him
back to what may be his death sentence?  He is still medically fragile,
and this may be a moot point, but he's so sweet, I just need validation
that keeping him is ok, or not.  Our ferrets aren't our property, nor
are they treated as such, they're family!
 
Hugs, Michelle and the gang of 15
[Posted in FML issue 4530]