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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 10:19:33 GMT -5
Thank you Henrika! Yes, I always bring their salmon oil because I do not want them to have those silly 'ferret treats' that are on the market. I wonder what the dosage should be? I was unsuccessful getting in touch with the one vet office(that I was on hold with) but I am going to try them one more time and then also the place I used to take them too. If anyone reading this has experience or can recommend a dosage to ask for, please let me know!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 15:46:56 GMT -5
So here's another question to drive you nuts I called the place I used to take the babies to (primarily cats and dogs but 'sees ferrets') and the vet is going to call me tomorrow. The vet tech asked if I wanted to bring him in for an exam or ask the vet if she could just order the lupron?-(that's why she's calling me tomorrow because I said for the vet to decide what she wants to do). I originally took Zoey and Zekrom there when I first got them. (and also Pepper, Elvyra, and Reshiram for an initial exam and everyone got lupron injections this past March) I really like the vet and she's great with the babies-ferrets just aren't her specialty. My question is: Do I tell her that I've been going to a different vet = ferret specialist (because I wanted a second opinion about Zekrom's tail and weight loss) and Zoey has a des implant because she has adrenal disease? I was mad before because the 'yearly lupron injections' clearly didn't work for Zoey, and not for Zekrom now either, and in March the shots ran me $95 per ferret + 2 exam fees + 5 office visits. But want the best of the best for my babies. I don't mind being honest but I don't want to hurt her feelings.
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Post by Heather on Nov 5, 2014 16:23:50 GMT -5
Lupron has long since gone the way of melatonin and is no longer used for adrenal preventative. Lupron still has it's place, and can be used as a monthly support for adrenal (I personally prefer DES)but it's now proven to be no more effective than the melatonin which was also used as a preventative in its time. Just be honest with the vet, tell her you found it more convenient to see the other vet at the time. If it was more cost effective than say so but my bet is she won't ask, or at least none ever asked me. I usually just have documentation or at least written what was done with my ferrets, by whom and when and we go from there. I often go in knowing approximately what is wrong or at least a general possibility and the vet and I discuss her findings, my observations and often from there come up with a diagnosis or at least what to do next (sometimes it involves climbing onto the computer and doing some on line research). Know in your mind how you want to treat your ferrets for their adrenal and discuss these possibilities with your vet. Know your information, that way you can argue your treatment in an intelligent manner. Use documentation if you have to. I go in with a list of symptoms, weights, observations, and possible treatments enquiries all written out for each ferret that goes in. There is no way that you're going to remember all your observations, times and dates without documenting it. Being properly prepared is half the battle when dealing with professionals. ciao
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Post by crazylady on Nov 5, 2014 17:20:38 GMT -5
Hi And remember you know your ferret the vet does not ! a ten min consultation tells them very little where as you are around them 24/7 ! dont be afraid to ask questions and ask for treatments there your ferrets and you pay the bills heck half the time I tell them whats wrong and what I need lol( I have even had vets call me and ask my advice lol) never be afraid to ask thats how we all learn heck after 47 years of ferret ownership I am still learning lol good luck with your baby take care bye for now Bev
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Post by unclejoe on Nov 5, 2014 19:47:31 GMT -5
I want lupron and can't even get it! Get the 3 month depot. It may last up to 5-6 months before signs return, and by then hopefully you'll have the des. Lupron may help the des take effect quicker. Oral melatonin put fur back on Moe before he got lupron, but I can't say the implants (melatonin AND des) are helping Jaffa's coat much, though he is more active since the des.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2014 11:31:29 GMT -5
Thank you Heather, crazylady, and unclejoe! I just feel like going back to this vet is a last resort/back up and that she might see it that way. In the next breath, like you said Heather, she probably won't even say anything. The bottom line is, I love my little Zekrom and will do anything I can to keep him healthy and happy (along with the other 4 babies). It may sound silly, especially because these kids are my first round of ferrets, but last year when I started worrying about Zekrom-I knew. I just knew something was wrong and 3 vets later= "he's fine". Grr! So, I'm worried that he has had adrenal disease since this time last year and it has gone untreated that long. He is aciting completely fine but I am worried there could be an emergency somewhere down the line (I'm really scared to experience an enlarged prostate or blocked situation) so that's why I'm asking the 1001 questions. Thank you to everyone who reads all my rambling and helping me through I'll keep you updated!
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Post by Heather on Nov 6, 2014 17:01:13 GMT -5
Good luck. I've often gone with the vet that I can most easily work with and who will listen to my arguments. It doesn't mean I have to be right or even agree with her diagnosis or treatment (her common fall back is the infamous kibbles, but we're working on that lol) but we will discuss things and alternatives. If we're absolutely at opposite ends of the playing field then often there is a bit of give and take by both parties. For me it might mean cooking his diet for a bit while she agrees to that rather than some Hill's crap in a bag. I've gone into my vet and said....there's something wrong, I just know it. We will then go through my notes and see if we've missed anything. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2014 14:55:15 GMT -5
Good luck. I've often gone with the vet that I can most easily work with and who will listen to my arguments. It doesn't mean I have to be right or even agree with her diagnosis or treatment (her common fall back is the infamous kibbles, but we're working on that lol) but we will discuss things and alternatives. If we're absolutely at opposite ends of the playing field then often there is a bit of give and take by both parties. For me it might mean cooking his diet for a bit while she agrees to that rather than some Hill's crap in a bag. I've gone into my vet and said....there's something wrong, I just know it. We will then go through my notes and see if we've missed anything. ciao Thanks Heather! I think that's probably where I'm headed-one I can easily work with and listen. As I logged on today, my new/wonderful vet office called to say the melatonin implants are in. While I do believe they have Zekrom's best interest in mind, for some reason I don't want to do it. I feel like it won't help him on the inside and that's most important to me. I told her I found a vet that has lupron ($80-$100 depending on dosage) and if they wanted their information to see if they would send it-nope. (Which actually is fine because after shipping costs, I can't imagine how expensive that would be). I did hear back from the original vet(who sees cats and dogs mainly) and I really like her. I wish she could be a ferret specialist-I'm not sure if it's because she listens to every little thing I say or what, but I feel comfortable taking my babies there.(I hope that doesn't change!) She said she would call and e-mail Virbac about the des and lupron-see when she can get them and how much because 'the price has dropped significantly since the last time I looked'. So now I wait-again. I believe their office closes at 2 tomorrow (Saturday) so I will try to call before then.
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Post by Thérèse on Nov 11, 2014 7:39:41 GMT -5
Keeping yu in my thoughts and hoping you can find a way to get Zekrom treated
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Post by Heather on Nov 11, 2014 13:35:33 GMT -5
To become a ferret specialist is very expensive (actually had one of my vets consider it until she researched it). Using a dog/cat vet who's willing to work with you, listen to you and help you research can be the way to go. I've dealt with specialists whom I wouldn't take my ferret to. I had one kill one of my ferrets because she refused to believe she could be anything but right. The vet I presently deal with is a small animal vet. She considers "pocket pets" her special kids and treats them amazingly. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Nov 12, 2014 11:29:23 GMT -5
Thank you Therese! He is such a sweetheart and is loving his raw! (We're working on mini chunks, with soup, this week!) I have a message into the vet to see if she heard anything from the company yet. One way or the other, he'll get treated Thanks Heather-I had no idea it was more expensive? Yeah, there is another vet in the area who people just rave about, but I was so disappointed when I took Zekrom to see him last year. Maybe my expectations were too high? I *want* to give him another chance-but we'll see what this vet says. I'm hoping I get a call back today...the waiting game is driving me nuts!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 26, 2014 9:27:40 GMT -5
So my fear has come true........Zekrom is having difficulty urinating This happened Monday night; I got home from work and everyone was sleeping in their hammocks. I made sure I had enough soup for dinner and breakfast when Zekrom woke up in a panic. I wasn't *too* concerned as sometimes they will wake up crazy itchy (silly ferts!). I saw him run to the litterbox and jump out. Then he ran over to the ramp and acted as if he would poop, then ran upstairs (they have a double ferret nation cage) and went in the corner (he NEVER misses the litterbox) and had a yellow/white poop, formed, and then ran downstairs and back upstairs dragging his rearend. He hoped into a hammock and started licking near his bum-bright red prolapse! I immediately started crying. My poopr baby boy! (He turned 3 years old October 15th) I knew this can turn to a terrible situation fast! I figured the prolapse was caused by him straining to urinate. He was fine Sunday and I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary Monday morning. I prayed he would be okay until Tuesday. I called the vet and made an appointment at 5:30 (I don't have anymore time off this year). My husband worked a half day and called me a couple times to let me know Zek was acting fine. Once at the vet's, they expressed his bladder and got a medium amount of urine out. She told me they ordered the lupron and should be here Friday/Saturday. While I'm thankful, I'm mad! This is exactly why I called 3 weeks ago to get lupron! He was fine then but look at him now! He also pooped and urinated when we got home around 6pm last night!(YAY!!!!!!) I've never been so happy to have urine on my hand (I dabbed it with a paper towl to be certain!) So now my list of questions: Is this light colored poop 'normal'? He has been eating mostly soup with a chunk here or there. Everyone else is having brown/dark poops. It almost looks like a formed egg poop. Has anyone experienced this? (Trouble urinating/prolaspe) This vet said to put some vaseline on if it's sticking out (She was able to 'tuck' it back in so she didn't think he would need stitches but wants to keep it moist) Is this coincidence and maybe he's been on soup too long? He did have diarhea(sp?) a couple weeks ago but has had formed poop for a solid week now. If his prostate is getting enlarged, how long will it take for the lupron to kick in? I'm just so upset; I really hope we won't have to go to an emergency vet on/before/after Thanksgiving. Plus, with emergency vets, I'd be afraid they won't know what to do? Could they do more harm than good? Ugh
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