From:
norstress@aol.com
Date: 2001-11-21 18:42:00 UTC
Subject: grieving ferret
First, I apologize for the lengthy post, but feel the background
info here is essential. Thank you in advance for understanding!
Last week, I lost my first ferret, Bosco, a 4yo male, who could not
recover from a left adrenalectomy, combined with lymphoma, bone
marrow suppression, and one non-functioning kidney. His decline was
very rapid and quite a shock to us, as before the surgery, his kidney
function was still at a normal level (the other kidney appeared to be
healthy upon ultrasound), his packed cell volume was increasing in
response to epogen injections, and he was just beginning to show
signs of the adrenal disease. The lymphoma was not detected until the
biopsy of the adrenal and spleen.
Bosco is survived by his "little sister", Frances, a 3yo female who
was his cage-mate, another female ferret named Ripley, and a cat
named Porter. We got Frances as a kit when Bosco was a year old and
they were intantly best buddies. We believe that Frances was weaned
from her mom too early and then formed a very srong bond with Bosco.
Frances is "small but mighty" - at 20 ounces, a very active girl who
is never afraid of anyone or anything and wants to be everybody's
friend - but only for a few seconds, until she gets restless and
needs to find some trouble to get into. At ferret bedtime, each one
would go into their own special hidey-hole for about ten minutes
(until Bosco was fast asleep), and then Frances would creep in with
him to snuggle. He is the only member of the household she was
snuggly with. They groomed each other and were always together. Bosco
was very kind and gentle toward her, even when playing. She often
initiated wrestling matches with him and he would take a handicap by
remaining on his back and lazily nipping in her direction, until she
got him riled up, and then he would lay on top of her awaiting her
surrender.
Since Bosco died, I am afraid that Frances has no one to bond with.
Although she and Porter (the cat) get along, so-to-speak, he is not
snuggly or protective of her, or allowing of her to be nurturing, as
Bosco was. Ripley (the other ferret) was adopted last year from a
home with no other ferrets, and although she is okay with Porter, she
cannot stand to be near other ferrets (although they were very
curious about her). When Bosco was well, I tried everything to
facilitate a relationship, even one of just tolerance, between Ripley
and the others to no avail. Screeching, screaming and bottle-brush
tail all the way. I believe she is a destined to be an "only ferret" -
and keep her separated and on her own time schedule.
I am currently not working, probably through the holidays, so I have
been home with Frances constantly since Bosco's death, lavishing
attention and treats on her. Frances is more clingy than normal, less
playful than normal, and seems to want to sleep all the time. Her
eating and drinking habits seem to be the same, maybe a little less,
although I have been supplementing her with extra feedings just in
case. Her poops have been a little on the soft side and a little bit
greenish. I'm not worried about a blockage or gastric problem here,
as I have been thru those before and do not see the same symptoms
here. Her temperature is normal and she is not dehydrated or
lethargic. I really think she is depressed. She isn't interested in
playing ferret games with me, and on the few occassions that she has,
the durations are very short-lived. I have noticed "restless"
behavior in her cage, like she can't get comfortable, and several
times I have seen her running around looking in all of Bosco's hiding
places, only to not find him and walk dejectedly off to sleep
somewhere. She just looks sad.
I have read about ferrets "dying of loneliness" from losing their
partners, and don't want that to happen to my tiny Frances. I have
also read that you should always have either an "only" ferret, or
three or more (never two). I tried to bring Ripley in last year for
that reason, then they wouldn't bond, and my other cat had kidney
failure and died, so I never felt it was a "good time" to bring in a
new ferret. Now I am at a loss - it is difficult enough dealing with
my grief for Bosco, but Frances is breaking my heart! Will she have a
better time of getting over this if I bring in a new companion for
her? Or will it make her worse? What are the chances she will reject
it? If I do get another ferret, do I do it now, while I am home, or
is it better to wait a few months? Do I look for a kit, or one closer
to Frances' age? I am very aware of how mental and emotional health
can affect the physical, and want to do the best for Frances during
what I know is a hard time for her (and me). I'm sure some of the
more experienced ferret parents have been through this before and
would appreciate any advice, shared experience or thoughts on the
matter.
Thank you -
Nora Keefer