>From: Shari Diane <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Adrenalectomy *snip* >Are you lurking and considering purchasing or adopting a ferret? Ask >yourself if you can unexpectedly afforded an estimated $300 (left gland) or >$500 (right gland) surgery. If you already have a carpet shark, start >saving money - seriously. Do you have a ferret shelter in your area? Just >think if they have several surgeries scheduled...Could you make a donation >in care of their vet? I've got to say, I agree with this wholeheartedly. Please consider the potential future cost of taking care of a pet -- *any* pet, really, but ferrets, with their specific health problems, in particular -- before committing to be owned by one. You never know when a life-threatening problem will crop up that demands immediate, and costly, attention. We are very lucky to have an understanding vet who is willing to let us carry a balance! Out of the blue in June we had three surgeries within two days (AAACK!) and racked up a vet bill of right around $1,000... and we only have five ferrets! I can't imagine the vet bills of some of those folks on this list who have many, many more. -Tasha and the monster babies "It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this." -- Bertrand Russell [Posted in FML issue 2043]