To the anonymous shelter post.....
>To other shelter owners out there; do you adopt out ferrets in need of
>surgery? And if so, is it on the condition that the adopter gets the
>surgery done? And, if that's the case, what means do you use to insure
>they actually do it and what do you do if they don't?
Several options:
1. Adopt the ferrets out to people willing to take on the responsibility
of surgery - no adoption fee, but they know they are getting a surgery
candidate. I've done this. You can provide a list of vets that do the
surgery and follow up in a month with a phone call in case there are any
questions. If they choose not to have the surgery done, well, as you said,
the ferrets were not getting anything done while at the shelter, and they
are at least getting more people time. I don't think anyone would adopt an
ill ferret without the intention of getting it "fixed".
2. Start calling other veterinarians/vet schools in your area and ask them
if they see ferrets. If so, do they see many? Do they perform adrenal
surgeries? Would they be willing to do surgery on shelter ferrets for a
reduced fee - in exchange for practical experience? I've started many a vet
in my area on ferrets with adrenal patients - I can still get the surgery
done for under $100 as my shelter rate. I don't see why other shelters
can't find other vets in their area and use shelter ferrets in need of
surgeries as "training" ferrets. The more educated vets in your area, the
more reasonable the pricing scheme for regular clients with ferrets. The
fewer trained ferret vets, and they can charge what they want.
3. Shelters can start charging drop off fees for animals in need of surgery-
in other words, take in all the ferrets, but if people drop off ferrets in
obvious need of medical attention, then charge $30 or so to help offset
costs. I did this in my area to curtail breeders from dumping their
unaltered, rowdy kits on me. It helped pay for the neutering.
4. One last item - stop taking in every ferret. Start a placement service
where you take the ferret's information down on paper, but the animal stays
in its home until an adopter can be found. The ferrets I take into my
shelter are only there because there was no place else for them. I have two
lists on my computer - one for ferrets looking for homes, and one for people
looking for ferrets. Once a month, I send these lists to "each other" and
let the owners place their ferrets. This reduces vet bills, ECE exposure,
caging requirements, stress, etc. For more details, read about the process
in the Winter 1997 issue of STAR* Ferrets or e-mail [log in to unmask] for
placement procedures.
On the same subject.......
>What is the likelihood of a ferret getting the adrenal disease and how
>much is it to have the surgery done?????
These are my figures based on MY shelter ferrets averaging over several
years. Draw your own conclusions:
Ferrets into shelter per year = 150
Ferrets with Marshall Farms tattoos = 60% (90 of the 150)
Ferrets with adrenal disease per year = 10% (15)
Ferrets with MF tattoos with adrenal disease = 90% (13 of the 15)
As to the cost, as I mentioned above, it depends on how many vets in the
area do the surgery. In the DC metro area, I know of two vets under $200,
two under $300, and several between $500 and $650. BTW, there is a 10%
chance of the adrenal problem coming back.
still running on about adrenals....
>My sweet little Auskie has just had her left adrenal gland out. She is 3
>yr., from Marshall Farms, sable, and sweet as can be. Surgery went very
>well and I pick her up from the hospital tomorrow (Tuesday). My question
>is, is there anything special I should do??
Just make sure the stitches are clean and don't get caught on anything.
Ferrets bound back from surgery very well. Some vets send pred home, but I
found it does not make a difference. If you want to be 100% safe, ask for
Amoxicillan (this surgery should be treated the same as a spay operation).
Pamela Troutman Grant
[Posted in FML issue 2137]
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