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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2014 21:25:41 GMT -5
It's very frustrating when you have a concern and the vet won't even look at it because the ferret isn't currently showing symptoms.
A week ago Shepherd was weak, wobbly, gagging and vomiting whenever food crossed his lips. He perked up after a forced feeding of meat soup, kitten formula, and a teeny bit of corn syrup, and has been steadily getting stronger since. The vet claims that an insulinoma ferret wouldn't go off his feed like that and that it wouldn't matter what he ate, and flat out refused to do a blood glucose test. All the while, offering no suggestions as to why he went from fine to looking like he was dying in two days. My gut says there was something catastrophic going on. Generally my gut feelings are right with my animals, but convincing a vet of that...gah.
Oh, and raw will give them salmonella. I told him that if I wouldn't use it for me I won't give it to them. Also, insulinoma and adrenal are both "very rare." So, this will not be my ferret bet.
Just frustrated.
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Post by msav on May 30, 2014 22:44:49 GMT -5
what kind of vet will not do a Complete blood check when a paying customer directly asks them to. That is the first thing my all my vets recommend when I bring home a new pre-owned animal. That is called early detection even if the animal is not showing any symptoms. I don't think I need to tell you that you should not go back to that vet. Have you looked at the vet list. I recently corresponded with a ferret knowledgeable vet in Washington state, perhaps you are close. Dr. Holly Carter, BVetMed Evergreen Avian and Exotic Animal Hospital 12930 NE 125th Way B130 Kirkland, WA 98034 (425) 821 - 6165 www.exopet.com |
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2014 23:15:55 GMT -5
I'm very far from anywhere, here in Soap Lake. Kirkland is two + hours away.
So yeah...gonna be talking to other vets in the area. I know the other vets I've talked to around here are pretty much anti-raw.
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Post by msav on May 31, 2014 0:21:09 GMT -5
I have had good luck going to virbac's website and doing a search for vets that do Suprelorin F implants It pretty much means that they are ferret knowledgeable. use the find a veterinarian link to find a vet. at least it will rule out the vets that have no ferret experience. www.virbacferretsusa.com/Good luck in your search there are many out their that feels your pain. |
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2014 12:42:18 GMT -5
There's one within a hundred miles. I'll have to call or email and ask them some questions before making the drive. Thank you for that link!
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Post by msav on May 31, 2014 13:56:31 GMT -5
Wow. I hope you can find one closer, at least with a little ferret knowledge for emergencies. While I could see taking that trip for checkups and such. In an emergency you will definitely want someone closer.
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2014 15:47:53 GMT -5
I know one I'll use for emergencies. I know they're very anti raw though, my sister is having trouble getting treatment for her cat as they insist if she'd just put him on kibble his FIC would clear up.
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Post by unclejoe on May 31, 2014 16:37:51 GMT -5
That's nuts. I'm with msav. A lot of vets will suggest tests whether you think you need them or not.
If you're worried about insulinoma, go to Walgreen's and pick up a Tru2Go glucose meter for $10. It comes with 10 test strips. Go on youtube to learn how to use it. If you have a personal grooming shaver, I suggest shaving the fur from one toe so the fur doesn't soak up the blood. You only need a small drop. They are accurate enough that you would have a case to present to the vet. A BG test should be $20 or less at the vet and take 2 minutes. Not a bad markup. The test strips cost about a buck retail.
I wouldn't even get into raw vs kibble with the vet. But I thought the issue was a balanced diet. People handle raw meat all the time when cooking for family and in restaurant kitchens. Has anyone on this board ever heard of a ferret contracting salmonella? It would be new to me.
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Post by katt on May 31, 2014 17:30:03 GMT -5
Unfortunately more vets than not are anti-raw, and you aren't going to change their minds about it not are you going to get them to look past to find the REAL health issue when something is wrong - everything gets blamed on raw. I don't usually suggest lying to a vet, but if they can't agree to disagree and it is going to impede the care your babies get, then it's not worth telling them about raw. Best bet is just don't tell them what you feed either way. If asked say a high quality, high protein/animal protein based diet. As for the one vet though...I would turn tail and RUN! He clearly has NO clue what he is doing and is going to do great harm to your babies. I have never heard of a vet who would turn down a BG test for a ferret. Not to mention a vet who would refuse to do a CBC for Any reason. I mean all you have to do is say I want a checkup and they will do it. And AD and insu are RARE???  Not sure what planet this guy is living on but it sure as heck isn't one with ferrets in it. |
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Post by bitbyter on May 31, 2014 17:58:59 GMT -5
I'd also suggest not advertising that they are on raw. No need to mention it in my opinion. If you are feeding a balanced raw diet then the nutrition they are getting is superior to what they'd be getting on kibble. Therefore, any symptoms they are seeing during a visit should have no bearing on their diet. Even if they do end up with a bacterial overload from raw, it could just as easily have occurred with kibble (especially with the number of recalls we have been seeing in the industry). I can't think of a single thing that would be different from a vets perspective that could be legitimately blamed on a balanced raw diet.
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Post by msav on May 31, 2014 18:15:03 GMT -5
When I took Hammie into the emergency vet, she asked me what I was feeding. I reluctantly told her a raw diet and waited for the reaction. She said thats good. She continued to say that all of her animals are on a raw diet, caught me off-guard was not expecting that. I asked why so many vets are n anti-raw. She basically said it had to do with their allegiance to the pet food industry. Most are part of a practice that have some kind of contract or program with one company or the other. And saying that you are pro-raw will basically keep you from signing on with any of the companies.
Is sounded plausible enough to me.
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Post by bitbyter on May 31, 2014 20:40:37 GMT -5
Yeah that is a well known issue Msav. Another problem is that vets get very little nutrition instruction in college and more often than not the course is sponsored by one or more kibble companies.
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