Goodness! I've just caught up on the FMLs. There was a post awhile back from a vet tech asking individuals that didn't have medical degrees not to second guess veterinarians. I must say that this struck a chord with me. What I'm going to say is not intended to be a flame or discredit either profession, only to relate my experience. First off, we need to realize that not all vets are familiar with ferrets and their ailments. I know from personal experience how deadly a vet can be to our fuzzies when the vet knows little to nothing about them. This is not to discredit vets, only to state the fact that not ALL vets are familiar with ferrets. Some vets also take offense to suggestions for treatments for ferrets, while others greatfully accept any and all information they can get. No one vet can know everything about every animal. Most prefer to work on certain species and concentrate on those particular animals (i.e. small animals, exotics, agricultural). Within those groups are many types of animals. Second, not all vet med colleges teach a wide curriculum on ferrets. In fact, some only teach very basic information and some less. This is shown by the fact that some vets do not even know there is an approved USDA licensed rabies vaccine for ferrets (Feb. 1990). Third, many shelter people are very familiar with ferrets. Due to lack of ferret knowledgeable vets in any particular area, we have had to learn on our own. Let me say at this point that I have 12 years of experience with ferrets and 10 years experience of nursing them. When I first experienced a serious ferret ailment, the vets in our area knew nothing about them and in fact, I was the first person to bring a ferret in to be diagnosed with insulinoma BEFORE it died. Because the vets in our area knew little about ferrets, I did the data research on the ailment and gave a copy to the vet. This started my data research into medical ailments of ferrets which continues today and includes personal experience with many different ferret ailments. When those of us that are not vets suggest treatments or question treatments we are doing so from experience and recommend that the person receiving the info speak with their vet about our suggestions or concerns. We have a wonderful veterinarian now. He is willing to listen to my experience and information and willing to share his information so that we may choose the best treatment for our little ones. He is willing to call other more ferret knowledgeable vets when he is stumped or has a concern. He and I are learning and sharing continuously. One very important aspect he acknowledges is that I live with my ferrets each and every day. I see their normal behavoir patterns and when they exhibit abnormal behavoir I may be the only one that can determine it is abnormal. For example - a few of the ferrets weren't feeling quite right. They looked fine, they acted what seemed normal to outsiders. I took them to the vet, he examined them and watched them explore the room. He said they looked fine and maybe it was just my imagination (this is a joke between us because he knows that when I bring them in there most definitely is something wrong). We ran a fecal sample and VOILA - Clostridium overgrowth on all 5. And finally, nursing is a skill. Not all of us have it. Most, if not all, ferret shelter people possess this skill and have helped terminal ferrets to survive much longer than their veterinarians have expected and some ferrets have been brought back when the vets had given up all hope. While many of us may not have a medical degree, we may have the knowledge and experience that can help in ferret ailments. And we are willing to share. This was meant as a gentle post. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm greatful to all the vets that work so diligently to better the lives of all animals. But remember too, that we have made many sacrifices in our lives as well, to better the lives of our beloved ferrets. We are the ones that will nurse them through their ailments and hold and cuddle and talk softly to them when they are dying. All we want to do is help. Hugs to all. tle [PS] And let's not forgot - There are also many individuals that are not shelter people that have taken it upon themselves to research certain issues, whether it be medical, nutritional, or psychological. They too, are relaying experience and knowledge that can prove helpful to others. Or at the very least give us something to think about. By sharing this information we can perhaps a provide a better quality of life for our beloved ferrets. Hugs. tle [Posted in FML issue 2123]