Origionally, the family had four ferrets. Two of them had become gravely
ill, and the people didn`t have money for the vet. They made the decision to surrender them to a shelter, but unfortunately, the night before they
found US, one of the ferrets died. Two of the remaining three were extremely thin, and ill--but the third one (Stantz) was truly dying, when they brought
the ferrets to Zoo`s Ferret Sanctuary on July 27th, 2009.  Stantz at 8:00 p.m. It was after hours, and he was very
close to death, but we gave aggressive supportive care anyway, and he made it through the night.  Stantz at 2:00 a.m. This full-grown male weighed only 15 ounces, and his
muscle tone was all but gone. When the vet`s office opened, only a few hours later, we were there. (I suspected blockage, at this point.) Diagnostics ruled out blockage--but his ALT was 860!!!!! EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY!!! She asked if this was a case of neglect, because this pointed at starvation. I did not feel that this was the case. Then together, we realized---The people DID love the ferrets. They HAD fed them. HOWEVER, when the money got short, they had switched foods. Apparently,two had nibbled on it---but the other two hadn`t been eating at
all!! (Stantz`s cagemate had died of starvation) FYI: It is IMPERATIVE to watch your ferret carefully, if you change its diet. PLEASE be sure it is eating the new food. Please get the most nutritious stuff you can find--even if you have to sacrifice something to do it. Your little one`s life depends upon it. Most vets would have euthanized Stantz at this point, but she has seen what we do here. She
sent him home with us, so we could try.(Of course, the other two were given
the kibble they were used to.) Stantz got around the clock care, and treatment for the ulcers which he had developed too. After four days of
around the clock care, Stantz began to eat some kibble! Pictured below is our Stantz, only 17 days after coming to us.  At this time, January 17, 2010, Stantz`s muscle tone has returned. He weighs 2
1/2 pounds, and is the most beautiful silver boy ever. One would never
imagine how sick he was. Long term effects are unknown, but because we are a lifetime care facility, we can monitor him. Time will tell. Goon & Riley were very thin, but have filled out nicely, these past few months. The former ferrents have been back several times to volunteer, and they have worked hard. We are very grateful for the help! More later. Love, Zoo  p.s. We are very grateful to Rose German, who is sponsoring Goon (as well as Bella) in 2010. (God bless you, Rose!) XXX000 Love, Zoo UPDATE, May 2010: Stantz`s bloodwork is totally normal now! He is doing fabulously--and so are the others. More later! Love, Zoo |
|
Homepage > Our Babies >
Stantz, Riley, & Goon |