Ben's Story

Ben is a young ferret, less than one year old. In June 1999, Ben bit into an electrical cord, burning a hole in the roof of his mouth. Ben's owner could not afford medical care for him so she surrendered him in hopes of finding medical care for Ben rather than having to put him down.

This is a very sad example of what can happen to very hyper, curious, bored and/or unsupervised ferrets. Usually they don't survive this type of accident.

Ben underwent reconstructive surgery at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in Gainesville, FL on January 28, 2000 with Dr. Avery Bennett and Dr. Geoff Pye. Not only are the vets here some of the best in the country, their caring manner for the pets under their care is unsurpassed.

The hole was closed by pulling two molars, taking skin from Ben's cheek and gum and creating a "flap" over the hole. A feeding tube was placed in Ben's esophagus which he's not happy with, especially when he smells food! We were cautiously optimistic the graft would hold but sadly, by the time Ben was released from the hospital on Monday, Jan. 31st, the graft had started to come loose. Today, Feb. 3rd, during a follow-up visit with Dr. Deborah Kemmerer it appears more than 1/3 of the graft is gone. Dr. Kemmerer will provide follow-up care for Ben until his return to Dr. Bennet for further evaluation around the end of February. Ben's white blood count is still a little elevated but he no longer has the yellowish discharge from his nose or the foul odor from his mouth. At the time of Ben's release, Dr. Bennett and Dr. Pye, felt Ben will need another surgery which should be easier and quicker than the first. Dr. Bennett said even if there's a small hole, Ben will still be better off than before the surgery. That's what we're praying and hoping for.

Ben had the second surgery on Wednesday. He had pulled his feeding tube out during the night, Monday night. When Dr. Pye examined Ben and because Dr. Bennett was in town for two days, he felt they could go ahead with the second surgery the next day.

This surgery was more complicated and time consuming than the first by pulling more teeth and taking more tissue including some from the inside of Ben's lips and making a double layer "flap". Ben came home just one day after surgery. Apparently the pain medication was making him feel "too good" and he was pacing and running around his cage. He's sleeping almost constantly since coming home but that's probably the best thing he can do right now. His new feeding tube is even shorter which is great for Ben, harder for me. :)

Ben's feeding tube came out on the 16th! Yea!! And his first Birthday to celebrate with his first taste of food in his mouth in seven weeks!

Drs. Bennett and Pye are very pleased with his progress. There's a tiny hole still that is just a bit larger today than when the tube came out but we still hope it will fill in. Ben isn't feeling too well today and has an upset tummy. He still is not eating on his own and seems to hate water. He will only eat sitting on my lap and being fed with a spoon. He shakes his head and totally refuses water so I make his soup a little thinner to try to keep him from becoming dehydrated and occasionally force a few drops into his mouth. Then he really gets mad at me and fights to get down! :) He definitely has a mind of his own.

He's been playing with a couple of the other kids this week and just loves being able to be a ferret again. He especially likes Jeremy, a dark sable, and he's Jeremy's White Shadow. He also likes Merlin who is another albino and closer to Ben's age. The three of them are really cute together and it's so heart warming to see Ben have friends and playing like a ferret should.

We don't know what's going to happen with this little boy over time. We just have to keep praying and hoping he will continue to heal. You're warm thoughts for a complete recovery for him is still needed and deeply appreciated.

After eight months as a foster recovering from surgeries in a Shelter environment, it was in Ben's best interest to further his rehabilitation in a home environment. In December, Ben was transferred to a private home where he could get more one-on-one care from another volunteer with in-depth experience in both ferrets and medical/rehab care. Jackie Roberts, besides being an RN and foster home/volunteer for geriatric and/or debilitated ferrets for Dr. Debbie Kemmerer, also lives only 20 minutes away from both Dr. K's clinic and the University of FL Vet School, where Ben had his surgeries.

The change of environment helped Ben to change the way he did things, too. He willingly started eating and drinking on his own. He would never be able to be fed a diet of "crunchies"....but eagerly ate his three meals a day of "gruel" (A/D based with finely ground kibble and water added). (But he was specific on wanting his meals warmed to a nice comfortable temperature!) After another three months, Ben was brought back to the surgeons at the Vet School in order that they might take a series of "after" photos of Ben's full recovery. They were most appreciative to be able to see the final success of their extraordinary work on Ben.

Throughout the year and a half of Ben's initial diagnosis, surgeries and rehabilitation, his original owner, Sherry P. stayed in touch as it was so difficult for her to surrender Tigger (his original name) at the time of the accident; but she could not afford the surgeries as her husband had just had major surgery; but Tigger had been one of three ferrets of her son's---all birthday presents to him over the years...and Tigger was the youngest of their ferrets. Since the ferret community helped considerably with donations for Ben....and the Vet School and Dr. Kemmerer also discounted their fees to help him--and now he was barely two years old and did not require living in a Shelter for the remainder of his Life; it was discussed among his caregivers and vets that if Ben/Tigger could go HOME...that would be the BEST ending for his story.

And that's exactly what happened the following May. Sherry never expected to have Tigger back in her family; she just wanted what was best for him. She was amazed that we would consider giving him back to his original family; and both Sherry and her son were committed to making Tigger's "home-cooked" meals for the remainder of his life with them. There was a great reunion at WEST END ANIMAL HOSPITAL with Tigger's ferrety friends after their Prodigal Pal's return to the clan. Sherry continues to stay in touch occasionally after a year with Tigger home.

As the saying goes, "If you love someone, let them go. If they return, they were always yours. If they don't, they never were."