From:
mjanke@miamiferret.org
Date: 2002-11-02 00:22:10 UTC
Subject: RE: Need advice on euthenasia
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <16531779.1036196530415.JavaMail.root@scandium>
> Has anybody been in this situation and if so how do you know >when it's time?
My situation with Beasley was very similar to what you're going through with Maggie. The last year or so of his life, he mostly slept, squeaked occasionally when rolling over in his sleep, when urinating, when picking him up. We never really could find anything wrong other than the obvious insulinoma. He had no problem urinating. He didn't seem to exhibit any signs of pain when poked or prodded.
When he was up and waddling around (he was so fat from the pred, constant feedings, etc.) he seemed happy. I certainly had no thoughts that it was time because of any of the above. When his time did come, there was absolutely no doubt it was the right thing to do for him, as difficult as it was for me.
Is there no quality of life? Is Maggie suffering or in constant pain? If the answer to those questions is no, then perhaps it's not time, but no one else can really answer that. You have to look deep into your heart to find the answer you're looking for.
I really believe that we'll know when the time has come and there won't be any doubts. At least it has always been that way for me.
mike