Message Number: YG12070 | New FHL Archives Search
From: miamiferret
Date: 2002-03-28 06:49:00 UTC
Subject: Re: I need help to put my friend to his final sleep.

I'm very sorry to hear about your little one, and though I know it
breaks your heart, it sounds like you're doing what's best for him.

I have had a few ferrets euthanized and while I don't think the drugs
are any different than what's used for dogs/cats, the process may
be. It's difficult to find a vein in a leg, so they usually give the
shot either into the stomach or directly into the heart. I believe
that would be called intraperatoneal (sp?) or intracardial. I think
what is used is called something like b-euthanasia, but don't quote
me on that. I'm sure it's the same that's used for cats, dogs, etc.

I would absolutely want (and do) have my ferret HEAVILY sedated
before either of the above methods. This is done with a simple
injection under the skin that is relatively painless. Your ferret
will slowly drift into a heavy sleep and once that is total, the
final injection can be given and your ferret will be obvlious to it.

You will probably want to stay with him during this time. Some
people find this difficult, but later on, they often wish they had
chosen to stay. You can't go back so think hard about that.

I'm sorry you have to think about these things. It's never easy.

mike

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "aristiana" <aristiana@y...> wrote:
> I have a dying ferret at home. Althought it break my heart to ask
> about it, it must be done.
>
> I don't have a ferret knowledgeable vet near me. A normal one is
> ready to put him to sleep if I can bring him the info about
product,
> dosage and method. I want all of this to be done as softly as
> possible for my friend.