Unfair Vets

Question
My Ferret Toby is about 9 months old and he is about to die. I think he has swallowed something. I even told the vet(s) this. I called about three. None of them would take him because he was two small. They said that their was not much you could do for a ferret. But yet again I read about the surgeries that could help his problem. One of them even suggested that I take him back to the store. It's not fair that there is not one vet I could contact to help my poor Ferret.

I don't . . . I can't put him down. I don't know what it is, but It feels more like killing him then taking away his pain. Don't get me wrong, I hate that he is suffering, I love him so much. But i just can't take his life. I guess I'm just selfish that way.

I have two questions. one, Is there anything i can do to help him. And two, What is your personal opinion . . . Should I put him to sleep?

Answer
Hello,

Toby's situation  horrible, but not uncommon.  Ferrets are considered an "exotic pet" and most veterinarians do not have much formal training or knowledge in that area.  Birds, reptiles and other less common mammals also fall into this category.  Especially when it comes to emergency surgery and anesthesia, it is difficult to find treatment ASAP.  

A GI obstruction is a very common and life threatening problem for ferrets in Toby's age group.  They will eat all sorts of things they should not, which can lead to severe health complications or death if untreated.  If indeed he is obstructed, it can be fixed though immediate surgery (unless there are complications) but this needs to happen NOW.  Toby will not last until Monday and he needs to be seen on an EMERGENCY basis.

I have worked in an emergency clinic, and finding a doctor who will see an exotic on the weekends can be difficult.  It all depends on your location and the availability of a veterinarian with some training and knowledge of ferrets.  We were lucky that there was one doctor that came in whenever we had an "exotic" emergency that the others would not treat.    

You do have some options.  

I am not sure if you are located within the United States.  If you are, it is best to head directly to the nearest school of Veterinary Medicine.  There are exotics specialists and board certified surgeons on call AT ALL TIMES.  Since this is a weekend, you are more likely to get immediate help for Toby.  There are 28 schools of veterinary medicine in the USA, and several in other countries.  Unfortunately, I cannot give much information about the latter, since I am not sure how international schools deal with less common pets such as ferrets.  

USA and some AVMA-accredited International Schools:
http://www.aavmc.org/students_admissions/vet_schools.htm

Be aware that this is in alphabetical order and NOT necessarily by state.  It might be best to google your hometown and the nearest school.  Make sure you call ahead and let them know you are coming with an emergency.  This way they can prepare for surgery ASAP.  This is the BEST option and what I recommend.    

The other option is to look up various emergency clinics in your area.  Whether they will see Toby depends on the doctor on-call and policy of each place.  This might involve A LOT of calling around.  Make sure you ask each clinic who they recommend if they do not see ferrets.   They might have an idea of where you can go.  

The WORST CASE is that nobody can treat Toby until Monday.  It is unlikely he will last that long (if it is a GI obstruction) and be able to pull though surgery.  If his condition is continuing to decline and there is NO other option, please do not let him suffer.  Any clinic can euthanize, and DO NOT LET THEM TELL YOU THEY DO NOT EUTHANIZE FERRETS.  If he is indeed suffering and there is no hope of treatment,  it is humane and the right thing to do as a LAST RESORT ONLY.  

I am sorry that you have to go though this.  Weekends make it all the more difficult to have him seen on an emergency basis.  If you get back to me ASAP on your town/state (provided you are in the USA), I can try to help locate a nearby emergency facility including Schools of Veterinary Medicine.  I will  check my email frequently in the next few hours.  

I am hoping we can help poor Toby before it is too late.  

-Cindy P.