From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2003-05-14 18:38:01 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Goodbye to Samson
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20030514143801.469d35b5.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>
On Tue, 13 May 2003 15:28:03 -0400
"Mary Alvarez-Cabrera" <maa2039@med.cornell.edu> wrote:
>
> I'm just curious as to what kind of problems Samson has recently
> displayed? From your email, I'm not completely clear on whether
> Samson has already passed on or not. I do know that losing your
> little fuzzie baby is one of the worst feelings in the world and
> having to actually make the decision to make it happen just doesn't
> seem fair.
I share Mary's thoughts. I hope Samson's owner read Dr. Williams e-mail
and, if Samson is still alive, that it was discussed with your vet. I
have two ferrets who had insulinoma surgeries around age eight last
summer. Both are still here, and one, Podo, is still asymptomatic.
Podo is my poster child for insulinoma surgeries in older ferrets. Our
vet expressed the same thoughts as Dr. Williams when we debated those
surgeries: some two year olds are not up to surgery, and some nine year
olds are and come through fine. It depends on the individual ferret and
their overall condition.
Please understand I am not second guessing any decision you are making
regarding Samson. You and your vet are there. I am here and I don't
know the details. I've had to make that decision once (with Ryo-Ohki)
and it is incredibly difficult and painful to be in that position. I
just know I would feel a little better, or perhaps second guess myself
less, if I had discussed every possibility with the vet before making
that decision.
Having said that, I know you will likely do whatever is best for Samson.
Sometimes we have to love our ferrets enough to let them go and say
goodbye.
All the best,
Caity and the non-stop nine