From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-04-17 19:15:00 UTC
Subject: Re: autopsy?
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Vicki Rummel" <vicki.rummel@u...>
wrote:
> My beloved ferret,Smokey will be put to sleep tonight. Just since
> Christmas, he has had a surg. for insulinoma/left adrenal and
another
> for apocrine adenocarcinoma in his anus. He had been eating duck
soup
> on his own for the past month, but 2 days ago, he stopped. When
force
> fed with a syringe, he vomits. He has a vacant stare. Last night,
we
> noticed that the anal tumor is back. It seems to be a staight
forward
> decision, but it's so hard. The vet asked today if we wanted an
> autopsy done. What do you think? Dr.Williams, this seems to be
> your "department". We will be bringing Smokey home to bury him in
the
> yard in our Rainbow Bridge area. I have 2 young sons and I think
> bringing an autopsied Smokey home for burial would be traumatic. Is
> there any real benefit to the autopsy at this point? The vet said
she
> would not charge us unless she sent something to a lab. Any
> suggestions would be appreciated.
Dear Vicki:
As a father of a young son myself, I would conceive of putting your
children through the combined trauma of the loss of a beloved pet
plus the shock of autopsy. When they are older, they will
understand, but perhaps now is not the time.
I am sorry for your loss, and I hope that your family may put this
trauma behind them quickly.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM