From:
Mohr
Date: 2003-09-08 22:08:27 UTC
Subject: senility in ferrets?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <5.1.1.6.0.20030908165830.00b61a60@pop.central.cox.net>
My Gabrielle is 7 1/2 years old. She has a heart problem she's had for
four years now, and she is also adrenal. We've had surgery and then did
lupron successfully. It is time now for her next lupron shot, but I'm
just... well, I don't think she's happy.
When she was younger, she was the center of the room, the light of
everyone's day. I took her everywhere with me, and she loved people as
well as other ferrets.
Now, she wants no attention from anyone, period, nor will she give any at
all. She used to be the kissiest, sweetest little girl, and now she will
not touch me or anyone else, nor does she want to be touched. All she ever
does when let out for playtime is run around the room frantically sniffing
everything, as if there's something she's lost but can't find. This will
go on for a max of about 10 minutes, then she is asleep again, curling up
completely alone and unwilling to give or receive cuddling or attention.
This has just broken my heart, though I know it's not her fault. I had
some tell me it could be the result of her adrenal disease, but treating
her successfully for it didn't seem to make any difference at all. It has
simply advanced and gotten steadily worse and worse as she's gotten
older. I mean, 7 1/2 really isn't *that* elderly, but she acts like
someone's batty old 90 year old grandmother who doesn't know what's going
on, wanders around the house aimlessly, and wants nothing to do with
anyone. (Ahem -- I know this from experience.)
I have tried everything I can think of to make her happy, but she just
doesn't respond to much of anything at all anymore. That's why I'm
writing. Lupron shots are sooooooo expensive, and I know she needs one,
and I'm feeling horrible even typing this, but -- well, would she be better
off if I put her down?
I know it's a decision I alone have to make, but I'd like to hear other
opinions. I'd particularly like to hear about the possibility of senile
dementia, and what, if anything, I can do to help it...?
-Natasha