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Post by emmettandlouise on Apr 19, 2022 19:11:15 GMT -5
I live in Vancouver BC and have been trying to find a vet here who has ferret patients. I've taken both of my little ones to All Critters Animal Hospital to see Mr. Daudjee who is okay, no glaring misinformation or bad suggestions and not too pushy about vaccines. But we've only had wellness checkups, nothing serious. It's an hour drive out there so I was excited to hear about Arbutus West Animal Clinic, 20 mins away and good reviews. It was horrible. They are doing drop off only right now to reduce contact with COVID19 so I didn't get to see how the exam went. The vet called me back to say Emmett was lively and in good shape... but wanted to talk about what I was feeding. I had listed the kibble I use which is all grain free cat formulas (Go! Chicken Turkey Duck, Nutrience Fraser Valley and Stella & Chewy's freeze dried raw chicken) and he said I should switch to Oxbow or Harlan Lab Blocks because he's worried my guy isn't getting the right nutrition. He told me to go out and buy grass blocks for rodents for my ferret. He started talking about dogs getting heart disease because owners are buying grain free food. I was just speechless. He also said that if I keep leaving dishes of kibble out all the time my ferrets would become obese. I asked him if there was some mistake-maybe he got my file mixed up-but no he had no idea about what ferrets should be eating or that they should always have access to food. When I made the appointment I was assured that this guy had ferret patients and would know what he was doing. I feel like the whole visit was a waste of time and money and really worry that this guy is giving other people horrible advice.
I'm hoping someone on here has had good experiences with a vet in or around Vancouver-I'm worried about the future-my little ones are young and healthy now but what about when more serious things come up-what about surgeries. I'll never go back to that clinic again.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Apr 22, 2022 7:35:37 GMT -5
OH MY
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Apr 22, 2022 7:45:17 GMT -5
'wished I could help you but I am in the states.
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Post by unclejoe on Apr 22, 2022 16:52:15 GMT -5
I missed that the first time i read it. that vet should be reported to the national veterinary board. good grief, all you have to do is look at the teeth... I would have lost my cool if i was told that. |
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Post by msav on Apr 22, 2022 18:34:31 GMT -5
keep trying different vets. I ask "what to you think of feeding raw to a ferret" their answer to that saves me a lot of time and money.
I went through about 9 vets before I found any of them that answered satisfactory to my question. Not have have 3 vets that I can go to.
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Post by Charlie on Apr 22, 2022 21:51:45 GMT -5
My vet was doing drop offs only too. I'm not sure about now but I know when things were starting to open up more, they still only did drop offs. I'm hoping the next vet visit will be open because I would rather be there and see my vet. Geez where did that vet go to school? Does he not know that ferrets are from the weasel family and not rodents? That is very scary that he has ferret patients. He is making them sick. That is sad.  That is a clear indication to stay far away from that vet. I'm fortunate that my vet is willing to work with me and knows that I do a LOT of research. She is also open to learning more and will do her research to best help her patients. |
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Post by emmettandlouise on Apr 22, 2022 22:43:11 GMT -5
An Update! I was so worked up about the whole visit I called the clinic to again say that I was given completely uninformed advice and that the vet was potentially causing serious harm. Dr. Burstyn called me back and apologised saying his brain was in "Rat Mode" and that he said the wrong thing. He recommends the Marshall diet or a wet kitten food supplemented with chicken and cream cheese... at least it's better than compressed alfalfa. keep trying different vets. I ask "what to you think of feeding raw to a ferret" their answer to that saves me a lot of time and money. I'll definitely ask this question next time and keep searching for the right vet. |
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Post by Charlie on Apr 22, 2022 22:57:56 GMT -5
Yeah the food you are providing for your ferrets is much better then Marshalls food. Cream cheese? Ferrets don't eat dairy. Oh boy. I get that there is fat in it but there is a better way to give them fat.
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Post by unclejoe on Apr 23, 2022 22:14:38 GMT -5
Marshall is better than alfalfa at least. wet kitten food is ok, if you screen the ingredients. I have never heard of anyone feeding or recommending cream cheese for ferrets. Ever. As a member of over 2 dozen ferret forums, moderator of 4 and admin of 2. Go! has peas and potatoes, tho they are down the list, which can cause kidney/bladder stones. I'm not a fan of anything with peas or corn, but not every ferret is prone to stones. Alfalfa is better for ferret bedding than food.
I will suggest this, though. At least this vet called you to admit a mistake. Most vets see very few ferrets, if any. This vet may well be open to learning. One of my favorite vets in FL was was willing to take my suggestions to research specific topics regarding ferrets and became much more helpful. She even told me "You certainly know your ferret husbandry," after she initially told me she had a ferret "colony" while in vet school. So I suggest you talk to the vet personally to see if he is willing to work with you. Also, it would be helpful if you could discuss issues your ferret has and/or visit procedures/protocols over the phone in advance of visits to reduce anxiety and so you know what to expect. You should do this with any new vet that has not seen your ferrets before, especially if you have to drop them off. They don't charge for phone time. I hope this helps.
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Post by Sherry Stone on Apr 24, 2022 7:42:21 GMT -5
I am with Uncle Joe in this. If he was willing to admit a mistake, talk to him again and tell him your concerns with his next bit of advice. You obviously are more into diet than the vet. If he is open to learning you might be able to work with him. Or at least if he is willing to agree to disagree about diet and is a very good medical ferret vet you might also be able to utilize his services.
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Post by msav on Apr 25, 2022 11:45:49 GMT -5
Too many red flags. move on from this vet. find a better vet.
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