From:
ldaley@troxlerlabs.com
Date: 2005-06-20 16:13:01 UTC
Subject: Update on Ernie
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5761522.1119283981268.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Ernie's not doing that well. He is now urinating orange-yellow pee which stains his belly. He is barely eating and just wants to be left alone to sleep. After seeing the orange pee I'm now convinced that it is his liver after all.
The doctor said to just make him comfortable and give him what ever he wants, but this is not easy. He does not want to be held so I can't comfort him and he doesn't want any treats to I can't even spoil him. I pet him and talk to him as much as I can but he only wants to sleep. I feel very helpless. I know he's going to die and I want to make him as happy as I can but I feel like I'm failing him. I don't want to put him down because he's not in any pain and actually looks very happy sleeping (not curled up in a fetal position but streched out on his belly with his paw over his head.) He was a surrender and we've only had him for a few weeks so I'm not sure if sleep IS his favorite thing to do. Anyway, I'm having a hard time and was hoping if anyone had any advise on giving support to a terminally ill ferret. How do you make them comfortable and when do you know it's time to let them go?
Thanks,
Lisa