From:
"Sue Liszewski"
Date: 2004-01-31 01:24:25 UTC
Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] How do you know when it's time to let go
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <Law12-F98PPxyxJLyN6000338c7@hotmail.com>
Jen,
I too as a vet believe when it is time you will know. But I also ask this,
talk to Taz, ask him what he wants, tell him it is okay if he is ready, that
you will miss him but you want what is best for him and as such you are
letting him go. Sometimes I find they hold on for us and need our blessing
or permission to feel it is okay. I have has my last 3 pets die at home. I
ask anyone who is an important part of his life to also do this. I feel it
is not only important for him but it will help you as well. During this
time you may find the answer you seek, but hopefully he will take the
decision out of your hands if needed. I also usu tell people when he won't
eat, won't move around, won't get up to go in the box it may be time. This
is a diecision that only you can make, but make it with love and trust in
god. Ask Taz's littermate to help too. He will be there for Taz too when
it is time. I hope this helps some with a very difficult time. My thoughts
and prayer's are with you and Taz.
Dr. Sue
>From: JchProcess@Yahoo.com
>Reply-To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>Subject: [ferrethealth] How do you know when it's time to let go
>Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 15:25:53 +0000 (GMT)
>
>I am faced with a very difficult decision today. One our ferrets Taz had
>surgery in early December. The vet discovered several tumors only one was
>removed. The vet told us he did not believe that removing the other tumors
>would prolong Tazs life any. He did remove the entire spleen. He said due
>to the large size of it removing it would help him get around a little
>better and he said over three quarters of it looked diseased anyway. Taz
>has been doing fairly well considering he lost his littermate two and a
>half weeks ago. In the last few days Taz seemed to be feeling a little
>better. He has a lot of trouble getting his hind legs under himself when he
>first wakes up but after about 10 minutes he gets around pretty well. Today
>when I went to take him out of the cage for his morning play time he was
>not doing well at all. I picked him up because he was not at the door with
>the others waiting to get out. When I picked him up in my arms he just let
>his head roll to the side. I decided to clean him up a little (we use baby
>wipes to clean his belly and hind legs when he goes to the bathroom at
>night he is getting it on himself) after I had cleaned him all up I put him
>in front of a plate of ferretone he was not interested at all and tried to
>walk off. Because of the problems he has with his hind legs when he gets up
>he was not getting anywhere so I was holding his middle trying to follow
>him where he wanted to be he went back to the cage. I snuggled him a little
>and put him back in the cage but then he seemed to want back out so I
>picked him back up then he was trying to get back in the cage again. I
>decided to just leave him in his bed, and I went back to getting ready for
>work. I put the others away as usual before leaving for work. I always give
>them a treat when I put them in the cage. Taz couldnt find his even though
>it was right in front of him. I picked up his treat and tried to hand it to
>him and he bit my finger (not hard) it was like he couldnt see or smell
>the treat but new that it was time to get one. I am faced with not knowing
>if Taz is ready to be put to sleep of if this was just a bad morning. Over
>the next few weeks and months will this be just part of his normal day. Or
>is this what to look for when its close to time to let them go. Can
>anyone tell me if its time to let go? I talked to my vet about this right
>after his surgery. He told me that when it was time I would just know. I am
>worried that he may be suffering but I cant tell for sure if he is just
>tired or if it is something more. I am very sorry to have written so much
>but I am trying to make it clear what is really going on with Taz. this is
>such a large decision to make.
>Thank you in advance for any opinions
>Jen
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>--
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>visit http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
>
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