"Around the middle
of June 1999 we got a call from a wildlife group asking
us to pick up an injured ferret, who had been found
in a parking lot by a policeman. It appeared as if
Heidi had been hit by a car, or fallen out of one.
She was paralyzed in the rear legs and suffering from
shock. She arrived at 10:00pm so we made her comfortable
and fed her a soft food diet and liquids, then the
following morning we sent her to be x-rayed. The x-ray
showed a broken back and a dislocated elbow!
 Heidi
was no more than four months old and was extremely
happy and playful. I wondered if anything could be
done for such a young ferret, so she would not have
to spend the rest of her life a cripple. We consulted
with four veterinarians, one being a neuro-surgeon.
Unfortunately the future of our little little subject
was bleak. The neuro-surgeon suggested shaving part
of the spine to relieve pressure, but indicated that
the spinal cord was probably damaged beyond repair
and there was little chance of Heidi walking again.
With the stress of surgery and possible
failure, I decided that Heidi would continue as she
is now. Caring for her would fill the void I felt when
I lost Ferruchi, who became very ill with insulinoma
and chronic diarrhea caused by an inflammatory bowel
condition. Ferruchi was also paralyzed in the back
legs.
To celebrate the arrival of Heidi I had
a mug and a registration plate printed so that we can
all partake of her courage and her happy, sunny temperament."
Angela |
