B came from Freeport on February 18, 2009. His mom could not find a vet willing to take payments, and this little angel was in crisis. He was lethargic, wouldn`t eat, was dehydrated, pooing black, showed discomfort-- and was hauntingly pale...  June & Glen (our foster ferrents) brought B & his mommy to us for help, and B joined our family. Xrays showed about the biggest right adrenal gland tumor I have ever seen--and a very enlarged prostate.The mass was so large it was cramming all his internal organs to one side. B "hugged" the floor, when he walked, and his gait was very unsteady. It didn`t look good for B, but he didn`t seem ready to die--so we decided to attempt to get him strong enough for surgery, while keeping him out of pain. He got a lupron depot, & we gave feedings every 3-4 hours, & subQ fluids twice daily. Also Pet tinic for the anemia. Pain meds as needed. Constant monitoring. The day after he joined us, his urine became the color of water when spinach has been boiled in it :( Not a good sign at all. Could be hemolytic anemia. Or maybe the right adrenal mass might have grown into the liver... When Dr. Katie called to check up on him, we decided that hospice would be the better route for B. He would probably never survive surgery. We started B on the home-brewed Essiac tea that we give our "hopeless" cases, and vitamin B complex injections, once daily.We have seen miracles with properly-brewed, properly administered Essiac. (Not the bottled stuff, or the bags.) In two days, B was walking around the hallway, exploring. When B`s former mommy came to visit him a few days later, she was amazed at the improvement. B had gained 10 ounces, and was toddling all around the place-- playing in the tubes. He was finishing his soup. He had even begun to munch some kibble!!! Today, B grabbed a bell toy & shook it. Then he hid it in one of the tubes. His eyes are clear & bright. His urine is no longer green. He is walking much better. He remains on special feedings. He has gained 10 1/2 oz. We can`t fix what is wrong with B, but we can help him to feel better!!! In a couple/few weeks, we will return to the vet for a second Xray. I believe the mass is shrinking a bit, and the pictures will hopefully confirm that. Most importantly, B is happy & comfortable, for however long he has--and that`s what it`s all about. More later. Love, Zoo  UPDATE: B`s former ferrent had an emergency surgery. She needed a ferret-sitter for her other ferret, Killer, while she recovered. Killer came for a small vacation at Zoo`s Ferret Sanctuary! B is re-united with his sister, and you can see how happy they are together.  We`re giving B`s mommy some time to recover, while we all decide what to do. These two belong together for as long as possible. If the mommy is up to caring for them, we might foster B back to her. If not, maybe Killer will stay here with B. We all want what is best for the ferrets. Only time will tell.... More later. Love, Zoo UPDATE: May 15, 2010 On March 22, we lost B. He was able to live it out in comfort, with his sweet sister Killer by his side. UPDATE:April 29th,2010 B`s former ferrent was very upset at work, after hearing the news that B was gone. Someone approached her, saying a coworker had a little girl ferret about a year old that was being left in her cage all the time, and ignored. She was starved for attention.The former ferrent was offered this ferret for the sum of $25. We offered to take this ferret, but the ferrent accepted the offer, and took Maxine home. She was re-named Ladybug. Killer has remained here for 5 weeks, until her mommy could come & get her. Today, she went home to meet her new sister. UPDATE:May 3, 2010: The girls did not get along at all :( She worked with them for three days. Then this email came.
We were concerned about Killer being put under any more stress. She is 5 1/2 years old, adrenal, and insulinomic. The health problems are all just beginning. The ferrent couldn`t really afford proper care for killer. (This was how we wound up with B!!) Killer was VERY unhappy there, no longer being the princess of the house. The ferrent asked if Killer could come here to live--and we said yes... Killer joined the family at Zoo`s Ferret Sanctuary on May 3, 2010. Mommy has been back to visit, & pledges to pay $10 a month towards B`s vet bill, & Killer`s lupron depots. Killer is doing well. More later-- Love, Zoo |
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