>[Moderator's note: I won't jump into the debate other than to say that >every patient is an individual -- what works for one may not work for >another -- so, personally, I feel you might be over-generalizing." > >I think most vet practices have been using Iso. for years now, but >please don't take my word for it -- I am not a vet. I do know for a >fact that some do not use it, or at least not for every procedure, but >there are often good reasons for that too -- it's a very complex issue >and I'm not the one to be asking. BIG]" Yes, as I expected, I am probably over generalizing it, and I agree that there are bound to be factors that I don't know about. But, I would be interested to know, without becoming a full blown vet, what factors would rule out the use of the safer Isoflurane over other substances (just an overview). If I wanted my vet to use it, and they refused and opted for something else, they would need to give me a sensible explanation of why / why not. As for vets who simply refuse to consider it altogether, they are way too closed minded for *my* business. >From chatting with a woman last night about Iso, I think I can >understand why it wouldn't be used for everything; it seems to be a >"shallow" sedative. She said it wears off within ten minutes, so it >wouldn't be deep enough for longer operations. Now, I am wondering what is the MOST lethal sedative? The worst of the bunch? Either way, since Iso has been around for a good while, in every case when it was not used but could have been, and a ferret died needlessly, that was wrong; a crime (of ignorance). And, for perfectly healthy ferrets to be put to death, for a needless teeth cleaning no less, is a double crime. It ought not be so. Thanks, Gary [Posted in FML issue 4293]