>Also, after so many with similar symptoms, they never suggested an >intestine biopsy.......so on the currently ill ferret, it sounds like we >should insist that this be done and that what we're looking to confirm or >rule out is the cause of or existence of chronic GI disease? Should we >be trusting that they know what they're looking for? It is difficult to say whether they know what they are looking for, but the aberrant doses of medicants, the lack of biopsy and the very sketchy autopsy with hesitation to send tissues off - let me say that it doesn't raise a lot of confidence right about now. However, it is not too late. There is a key component, however, to sending off tissues, and that is where to send them. There are a handful of pathologists in this country like Mike Garner and Drury Reavill who specialize in exotic animal pathology and have a lot of experience with ferret tissues. I would insist that tissues go to an experience and recommended ferret pathologist. Me, these days I only take a very limited amount of tissue - the very odd cases and those which will add significantly to the literature. My time is taken up with ferret research and publishing (actually, I am finishing up a paper tonight for Exotic DVM magazine which deals with interpreting pathology reports from inexperienced pathologists). Many times, especially on the FHL I will hear about an interesting case and request that the tissues be sent to me. >I think I almost feel terrible now, like as ferert owners, we should >have required more ferret-related knowledge of ourselves... I think that you are being a bit hard on yourself here - I'll exempt myself, as I've had the special training, residency, and a lot of experience with ferret diseases. But if you spend time on the FHL, you'll see some fantastic people such as Sukie Crandall, Mike Janke, and many others too numerous to mention who have phenomenal instincts when it comes to ferret medicine. I can tell you, it didn't happen for them overnight - but they went to the right resources, learned the right stuff, and I would actually put their knowledge of ferrets up against the majority of vets out there. So you're here now, and you can learn an awful lot. With kindest regards, Bruce Williams, DVM [Posted in FML issue 3664]