Anyone Think She Will Survive?

[airy]

Hi all, not sure you remember me, but I used to post here a while back, I went back to work, Life has been hectic since and I never had much of a chance to visit this forum. Now I come back with a heavy heart. The story is, last night when I was playing with my ferrets I was handling Airy and I noticed I could feel her bones, like really feel them, Airy has always been a incredibly small ferret, but this was just alarming, especially how it just seemed to happen over night. I handle her everyday I don't know how I could of missed such a drastic change. Needless to say I took her to see the vet first thing this morning, I suspected it was Gastric Ulcer or intestinal blockage which is can be treated, but I should of really prepared myself. The vet ruled out blockage and said that there could be a slight chance that it is a ulcer, but she is certain that my Airy has Lymphoma. She believes Airy is in the late stages of it and here I had no idea until last night there was something wrong..maybe she was sick all along and I had no clue. After much research I have done today I did read that ferrets can carry it for years before it is found, and the vet did explain that when a ferret is sick like that, they normally don't display symptoms until the near end, it is to do with their wild instinct and hiding that vulnerability from predators. Anyways she said there is a possibility it could be gastric ulcer and gave me meds, a stomach coating and a special food for gastric issues and some pretty complicated directions on her care..and really I don't like the idea of having to keep her separated from Pan and Loki but I do want to do everything by the book so I guess Airy is sleeping solo now . Okay, now I am to phone her a week from now, if there is no improvement, then it is Lymphoma and we will go from there. Worst thing is, she told me that Airy most likely wouldn't survive treatment, the anesthesia could kill her where she is so weak, and she is well under a pound now. What she can do is when the time comes administer Morphine so her passing won't be as hard on her. I really can't bare the thought of any of this..but here is the thing, yesterday I couldn't get her to eat or drink nothing, but today she went right to town with the water and even seemed to gave gained her appetite back, yesterday her stool was mucus and water, today it looks normal, she is still lethargic and not playful but she did get around and explored a bit, Could that be some improvement or maybe wishful thinking on my behalf? I do see changes for the better since yesterday so is it possible that it is indeed gastric ulcer after all? Vet said recovery from Airy seems doubtful, but she never said it was impossible, and why would she give me all the stuff to treat a ulcer if there wasn't a chance of recovery? Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[Johnny and Demon]

I am so sorry for your beloved baby ..
I know just well how difficult it is
When we found out about Demon's lymphoma, it was in october. We are still wondering since when he could have been sick, as ferrets are trully tricky pets and they can hide their pain very well
(You can read more about Demon's lymphoma on the Rainbow Bridge page of this forum)

Our vet, Dr.Drmac did a full blood test after Demon's Xrays. The xrays were showing a huge mass near his lungs - so Dr.Drmac confirm it wasn't something that could be removed The blood tests were showing Demon was in perfect health (if you forgot about the white blood cells), so he was the perfect canditate for Leukeran. Despite the fact ferret experts say you must confirm it is actualy lymphoma (through biopsy), we took the chance anyway. Demon was coughing his lungs out and we felt like it was worth the try. The Leukeran and the Prednisone gave him 3 good weeks. The cancer was put into remission, Demon was playing and tunneling with Johnny, he was eating by himself with NO help, he was running and he was no longer coughing. Unfortunately, we knew the ulcer was big and near his lungs, so Demon was fighting a huge monster After 3 good weeks, the cancer came back Demon started coughing again .. He was no longer playing, only exploring - maybe from stress ? We started giving him Tramadol to manage his pain, but no success. His poop changed orange and we could tell he was no longer enjoying life. When he started refusing his food, he became very thin .. It was horrible as we knew it was time to say goodbye to our beloved baby We went to the vet, and Dr.Drmac checked him over and told us we have tried everything that could possibly be done, but it was time for Demon to cross the Rainbow Bridge, so he would no longer suffer

All this story to tell you that IF she has Lymphoma, a remission IS possible. For Demon, it last a month, but sometimes, you can give them quality of life a little longer .. They say its a matter of months to a year (if you are very lucky). Ferrets usualy respond pretty quickly to steroids such as Prednisolone or Prednisone. To my personal experience, Prednisone and Leukeran gave 3 pretty good weeks to Demon. So it worth the try. Unfortunantly, you must prepare yourself for her eventual loss

Have you done different tests on your furkid ? Where did the xrays showed a mass ? IF it's lymphoma, I think it's best for her to be with her friends in her own cage .. You don't want to stress her out, it would just "activate" the cancer even more ..

Usualy, when it's a gastric ulcer, ferrets will grind teeth .. It can also stopped them from eating as it cause them a "blockage". Demon was still eating his kibbles when he had lymphoma .. after a while he was only eating his duck soup, then he started refusing his food.
I heard when its gastric ulcer, they will grind their teeth at the first stage, then they will refuse to eat as the ulcer blocked the bowel. Then they become very thiny and you can feel/see the bones.

I will suggest you to contact Tressie, she knows ALOT about ferrets and she can help you out !

Keep us posted

[Tressie]

Hi,

Sorry to hear that Airy is not well.

First of, how old is Airy?

Why does your vet think it is lymphoma? Did she do an x-ray? Are any of the peripheral lymph nodes swollen i.e., side of her neck, front legs in the 'armpit' area, behind her back knees??

A ferret with an active ulcer will normally grind her teeth after or during eating. And typically the stool is a tarry shiny black. Does she have either of those symptoms?

Why are you separating her from her companions??! That is the worst thing you can do! It will cause additional stress for her. Lymphoma or ulcers are NOT contagious.

If your vet feels strongly that it is lymphoma she should be started on prednisolone immediately. It will put her into remission. Could be for a few weeks or a few months.

Has your vet consulted with a ferret knowledgeable vet?

What medications is she currently on for the alleged ulcer? What are you feeding her?

If she has an ulcer, she has to be taken off hard kibble, and fed Science Diet a/d or chicken baby food mixed with some warm water. If it is lymphoma she needs Science Diet A/D as a supplemental feeding as well as her regular kibble.

Was she hydrated when at the vet?

What anesthesia??!! She should be getting prednisolone not be considered for surgery.

Everything seems out of whack here. Either you have not understood the vet's directions clearly and may have left some critical information out - or your vet is not very knowledgeble about ferrets.

She is certainly not ready for euthanasia without at least attempting to provide some palliative care for her, i.e., supplemental feedings, pain medication as needed, prednisolone, etc.

I am going to email you as well in case you aren't checking the posts here.

Tressie

[airy]

Worst case scenario. I lost my little baby today. Its hard to even put these words together to update you all. Myu computer crashed so I couldn't update you sooner, sorry. I was talking to Tressie in e-mail, she mentioned Insulomona. I did some quick research, and I believe that was it. My Airy had every single symptom that was listed on all the sites..except for the drooling, that she never done. I don't know how I could have missed any of these symptoms before, some of the symptoms I mentioned to the vet, like when I asked "why does she stand with her back arched staring into space for long periods of time? Anyways, the plan was to take her to her old vet in Rothesay on MOnday(tomorrow morning) to get tested for it. She improved a bit through the week, was even eating and drinking tlike there was no tomorrow. but when I got home from work Friday night and let them out of the cage, Airy seemed extra wobbly on her feet, did not want to explore or play with her brother and sister,, just wanted to sit with me on the couch. The coffee table was close to the couch, my cup of water was sitting there, she normally has a habit of leaping from couch to table to get my water(I allow her to drink from my glass) well she attempted to leap and didn't even make it to the table, she went down, my heart sunk there, I told her it would be alright and she just had to hold on until Monday morning. For the rest of the night she remained on my lap and she was back to syringe feeding and drinking. Saturday she was even worse, she was unconscious a few times during the day, I got the numbers for the Fredericton ferret vets off this site, I wanted to see if I could at least get her into emergency since I felt Monday was too far away, one there was no answer or answering machine, the other I got a answering service where I was told by the lady that she didn't think they treated ferrets and would have to call back on Monday. I was on my own and all I really could do was pray and do everything I could to keep her comfortable. Last night I kept her in my bed with me for most of the night, she was slipping in and out of consciousness. She lost all control of her little limbs, would try to hold her head up but would flop back, and I know she was trying, but I knew she had given up when I tried to feed and give her water once more, she outright refused it, would turn her head away and would clamp her mouth shut, I felt that was her saying "no mom, I'm done fighting" so I decide not to try to force it on her. That was a incredibly hard moment for me. I held her for a little while longer, told her how much I loved her and how proud I was of her and put her back with Pan and Loki for the night, I decided if she was leaving this world, I wanted her in the comfort of her siblings. I woke up this morning, she was curled in a ball with them, she was breathing but completely limp and unconscious, I tried syrup on her gums and nothing. I went to have a quick shower, I came out and she was completely gone. Today has been so hard for me, the void is incredibly huge. I always knew this day would come, I dreaded it but it is just much worse than I imagined, it is literally making me ill myself. I will always blame myself, that very day I had her in I should of went and got a second opinion that day. Maybe she could of been diagnosed with Insulomona and been treated for it before things got worse. I will always wonder if it was my own ignorance that done her in. I will never put my faith in one single vet again, for now on, there will always be a second opinion and I don't care how far I have to travel to get it. All I know is that it was not her time to go, it was way too soon, she should be here happy healthy and playing. Her being taken just feels too unjust. Not sure how I can ever accept that

[Johnny and Demon]

I am so sorry for your loss. I know you mixed emotions. I still have them today when I think of Demon. It is very hard indeed. Pets are so precious ! Words can't describe the pain .. I know; I've been there. She is your angel now and all you can do, its to keep taking good care of her siblings. That's what Airy want from you, to take care of her sibling and to take care of yourself, as she loves you just as much you love her.

I simply don't have any words to describe how sorry I am for your loss
Rest in Peace little furbaby

[airy]

Pan and Loki are the hard part for me. I do love then so much, but at the same time, I am having a really hard time being around them. I am so glad they are happy and healthy, I don't know what I would do if either of them were to get sick, but every time I hold one, I just break down and start crying. I am trying the best I can for them, They need me now more than ever, they are grieving too, but I just can't explain why being around them is making me feel so out of whack. I am just so sick to my stomach, I cry until I cannot breath. I still havent been able to bring myself back to work. I couldn`t even keep it together when I was talking to the lady from Rainbow Bridge funeral home on the phone. I just want Pan and Loki to be happy and they are running around playing right now, but just the sight of them makes me think that Airy should be here with them, happy, healthy and chubby like them. When Airy left us, she was nothing more than a bag of bones and that will be my last image of her. There is a new pet supply shop that opened up in Grandfalls, I was planning on going there and splurging on as many toys and fun stuff that I can get for Pan and Loki to help cheer them up, and then I think, Airy should be here to enjoy it too. I have loved every animal I have ever had, but never have I grieved like this, I haven`t even grieved this badly for people I have known and loved, I can`t even eat or anything, I just want this pain to go away. Airy is on my mind 24É7. I just need to focus more attention on Pan and Lok. I think I am pretty much failing them when they need me the most ;(i

[Tressie]

I am truly sorry for your tragic loss. The fault was not yours. It is clear that you did everything you could and her remaining hours were receiving loving care at your hands.

I know the utter frustration when there is no available veterinary care. I lost one last spring because my vet was away at a conference and NO one would see him, he was passing blood. Because it was during the day the emergency clinic was not open. I called 5 different veterinary clinics, including a couple who claimed to see ferrets....although even they refused to see him or even mercifully euthanize him. One said that I could bring him in the following morning. I said he'd be dead by then.... and sadly, he was.

By the time the emergency clinic opened, he was already going into shock and was in a coma. I took him to bed with me in his cuddle cup and he slipped away.

The grief is overwhelming when you know with veterinary intervention they could have been saved I know your pain and my heart goes out to you.

I am so very, very sorry...

HUGS,

Tressie