mystery death

Question
hey.

I have... had two ferrets. Sunday I got up and found one of
the ferrets unresponsive. I took her out of the cage and did
everything I could do... which wasn't a lot... I felt so
helpless holding something I loved and not know if she was
going to survive or not.

she had diarrhea
anyway she was "aware" but was almost completely limp and
lethargic and her breathing very week. I would hold her and
say her name pretty loud to try to "snap" her out of it.
I would put her on the couch and she would try to move but
it looked like one side of her body was completely paralyzed
and would flop and any movement was very speratic and
incredibly painful to watch.

I read that to snap ferrets out of a comatose you should put
honey on their gums. I did that  but nothing hapend. a short
time later she spasmed (not a full seizure ) and did her
breathing was like she was gasping for air and then.... ya.

there are three things that I think could be a hint at
whatever happend.
first off her health, she was for the most part completely
healthy but she had 2 incidents that happend. about 4 months
ago she had a sick spell where she was week and had diarrhea
but was still up and about and fully aware.

she also had a quirk in her tail at the end and it fell
of... well we think it fell of cause we never saw it. we
also

the other thing is we have a dog, they get along together
well, but the ferret would often get to the dogs kibble. the
big dogfood recall that happend like 2 years she got into a
tiny bit of that.

anyway anywords will be helpfull

Answer
Hi James:

I'm so sorry about your ferret.  I wish I knew what to tell you could have happened.  I'm glad you were with her when she passed tho.Hopefully that gave her some comfort.  It's hard to know what causes these things without doing a necropsy (like an autopsy) unless she has been ill for a while or under the care of a vet.  Just can't be of any help when it comes to that unfortunately.  Just know that you were with her and she didn't die alone.

Here's a great website for YOU - http://www.petloss.com    They have a great poem called Rainbow Bridge you really must read. There's a place where you can write a memorial to her an have it posted for ever and always. All my kids are memorialized there.  Read a few and you'll get thd idea. Maybe you'll feel like writing something for her and/or posting a picture.

As far as the remaining ferret - give him LOTS AND LOTS of attention and watch him closely. It's not unusual for the left behind ferret to die of a broken heart.  IF you can get another ferret - please take him with you and let him pick it out - some ferrets get along, some don't; just like people.  If you can't get another ferret, you MUST keep him with you a LOT for the next few weeks to be sure he is eating and drinking and making it through this difficult time. He needs a best friend right now....whether you or a ferret. He will grieve regardless, but lots of love will help.  Be sure he eats and drinks  - that' the biggie. Don't let even one day go by without eating/drinking or take him to the vet for sub-Q fluids, okay?  He can/will go downhill very very fast IF he does.

Hope this information helps. Wish I could do something to ease the pain - I know what it feels like.  God bless and give that little guy who is left behind lots and lots of love, maybe some warm "soup" and lots of one on one platime and cuddling, okay?  Even trips outside are great to get his mind off the fact that she is no longer there. DON'T remove her blankies or toys - leave them there for a while to help comfort him.Ferrets are very very social animals who NEED Love on a daily basis by someone who cares about them dearly....whether a person or a ferret.

Best of luck and hope you and your little guy get feeling better soon. So very sorry for your loss. My heart breaks for you.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers