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Post by RedSky on Sept 9, 2015 2:41:46 GMT -5
The vet pricked and pricked her and it took a lot to get that small drop out, seriously how do you guys do it? Her BG was slightly low, but the vet wasn't 100% convinced and wanted to make sure there was nothing else going on before starting treatment. Korra is an odd one, I'm actually wondering if she is going deaf. I might mention it to the vet. She doesn't wake up for loud noises and has stopped coming when I call her. If she see's me out of the corner of her eye she comes running. She's always been a bit funny with squeaky toys anyway (generally doesn't care) so I'm trying to clap really loudly but in a way that she can't see me do it, but the other two don't respond to that either. Bolin who isn't deaf (goes crazy at squeaky toys) doesn't pause, flinch or do anything, he just carries on when I bang something.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2015 3:04:52 GMT -5
So glad to hear of Mako's wee willy winky (I think I will start calling Teddy's that)....LOL! I want so to have a British accent and should have you teach me some of your "words." That is so amazing for all he and you have been through. Yes. It does sound like insulinoma with little Korra. Can't believe they didn't do a glucose. Especially for a ferret. Bless all of you.
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Post by RedSky on Sept 9, 2015 3:15:09 GMT -5
I think I may have confused you, the vet did the normal blood glucose reading, which was only slightly low. The vet was worried that something else might be going on as well, and still is. I haven't wanted to be all doom and gloom, but worst case scenario she has kidney failure. Best case she had an infection that she has been fighting and is cleared up enough that the tests didn't find it as 'existing'. And she might also have a damaged liver. Some of the tests they did threw back some odd readings, which could suggest there is more going on than just insulinoma, but we know her BG was lower than ideal. I'm not sure what effect the pred would have on her kidneys and liver but I'm guessing it probably wouldn't help them at the moment, so the vet wanted to hold off until we do a second test. Or if maybe her fighting off something and stress of it all could cause her BG to drop.... I dunno... Doesn't help that my trio are all so quirky and all do completely different things and behave in completely different ways. I have no idea what a normal ferret is like yet! lol
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Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2015 17:45:02 GMT -5
So sorry to hear of the medical issues. They are our babies and it is so hard to know what is best.....since they cannot talk to us. This is my eighth ferret in 23 years. I had one die from lymphoma at age 5. I had one die or a ruptured spleen at age 7.5 (had cancer). I had one die at age 8.5 years of adrenal/insulinoma but in looking back I should have had her put to sleep about 6 months prior as she was suffering (she was my first ferret). The others died of adrenal/insulinoma and lived anywhere from 7 - 7.5 years. This is the first ferret that I have had that is intact and fed totally raw diet. And the first ferret I have had that was privately bred. So I am in hopes his journey will be healthier. It sounds like you have really good medical care there in the UK.
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Post by RedSky on Nov 5, 2015 11:12:21 GMT -5
Sorry I've been MIA, things have been crazy.
I'm very sorry to have to report we lost Mako a week ago today. He seemed to be doing so well, and then one afternoon when my OH got home he went upstairs and found he had passed away. Our normal vet was away and the other two seemed fine so we took him to be cremated.
Up until this morning Bolin and Korra seemed to be handling it well. Then this morning I went in to find Korra curled up in the exact same spot. Her tail was all poofed up just like Mako's had been, I called her and she looked up at me, came over but slower than usual and waited to be picked up rather than jumping around like she normally does. It was the first proper cuddle I've ever had with her, and I really wish that it never happened. She just laid in my arms while I cried and stoked her. She's eating, seems hydrated but her eyes are dull and she's just not herself. I'm keeping a very watchful eye on her for now, first sign of anything more than missing her brother and I'll rush her straight in. Bolin seems a bit sluggish but nothing more than usual I suppose.
I thought they were doing so well with Mako's passing, but I guess they are so used to him being gone for a few days when he's at a low point then coming back to play. This time he's not... We did leave him in with them for a while. Korra tied cleaning his ears, something he always hated. Bolin laid on him then both went off to their sleepsack.
These last few days Bolin and Korra haven't been sleeping together. Should I be worried about something?
I'm not sure if I should change things to help them move on or if I should leave things as they are, let them have Mako's favourite toy, blankets that smell like him etc... Will having something of his be comforting or just a horrible reminder that he's gone? OH wants to change the cage either back to the critter nation or make something different. Korra loves to climb and be up high so I think she will like it, Bolin likes anything with lots of places to sleep. At the moment their cage only has two places really. It was designed with Mako's disabilities in mind. I know they will like the end result either way, but is it too much too soon. They will be in the same room. And probably back in their old cage, with some new toys, a window to look out of which Korra loves.
Sorry my post is all over the place, I'm still struggling with it all myself.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2015 13:49:46 GMT -5
So sorry about your little fella. I know you loved him dearly. The way you cared for him was truly inspiring. Hope the other babies will not grieve so, and all that you can do to help them make this transition less sad would be a good thing. Depression is such a horrible feeling. DIP Mako, you will be missed so much
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Post by Thérèse on Nov 5, 2015 13:54:12 GMT -5
I am so sorry to hear that Mako has passed on. My thoughts are with you all.
I personally would find a middle ground, yes change some things to give them better enrichment but don't remove everything that might be linked to Mako (that may seem like you are trying to erase his existence), perhaps leave a bed that they can go to when they want to remember him and feel close to their lost brother. The most important thing will be the love you can show them to help get them through, especially Korra, as she seems hardest hit. Also giving them extra lovings may help you in your grief.
As in all things ferret, I expect them to grieve in different ways according to the individual ferret. Just by being aware and letting them know you are there and you miss Mako too, hopefully you can all find solace.
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Post by Blue on Nov 5, 2015 19:05:29 GMT -5
Oh no, I'm so sorry You worked so hard with him... I don't think anyone could have given him a better quality of life than you did. He enjoyed life right up until the end and it is all thanks to you. And he knew that he was loved. DIP little one,.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2015 20:41:23 GMT -5
Oh No! You did so much! I am so sorry! I know they are grieving with you. Big hugs to each and every one of you. I recently had to be gone for two weeks and my husband took very good care of my Teddy. However, when I returned, Teddy has not wanted me out of his sight. He has a bed on the floor on my side of the bed and sleeps near me all night.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2015 20:47:31 GMT -5
Must feel good to have a little one bond to human mama.
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Post by acodlin on Nov 6, 2015 5:31:24 GMT -5
Im so sorry about Mako. Sometimes death hits them hard, you have to support them and make sure they continue to eat, try to do things she enjoys. I would probably wash his things if that seems to be making it worse. Just continue to give her a lot of one on one attention, supportive care, and do what you can to encourage a little happiness. That is all you can do until they are ready to move on from their grief.
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Post by RedSky on Nov 6, 2015 10:35:40 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for your kind words.
I think Korra was actually a bit poorly yesterday. Her stomach felt warmer than the rest of her and she laid in my OH's arms for ages, letting him pet her. Normally she doesn't stay still for long enough to be stroked, or she just bites. But she laid there and let him love her. I made her some carnivore care and a few hours later she was pretty much back to her normal self. This morning when I opened the door to their room she was leaping up as usual, landing in her water bowl and leaping about spreading water everywhere. Typical Korra.
I ran out of puppy pads too and had been thinking about going back to litter so I put their tray in last night with the same 'litter' stuff they had before. Bolin had a great time snorkeling in it. OH was sprinkling it over him and he was wriggling around like he does. It's everywhere... There is more in the rest of the cage than in the litter tray, and a nice big pile of poo next to the tray... They didn't want to go in their new dig box. Silly mummy. Looks like they had a great time, and what's a bit of cleaning if your fuzzums are happy?
We've decided to put their old cage back up, and get rid of the pen. It will give me more room for storage (so more toys to rotate) and easier access to check, clean and feed them. Korra will have height to climb and Bolin can have hammocks everywhere.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2015 19:39:09 GMT -5
May I ask what you use for your dig box. I need to make some things for Teddy to play in.
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Post by RedSky on Nov 10, 2015 16:33:44 GMT -5
marcia our normal 'dig boxes' are just low storage boxes filled with either rice, pasta, small teddies or ping pong balls. I did try the packing peanuts but Bolin eats them which even with the ones that dissolve isn't great for him to be eating. The rice and pasta are the cheaper ones (for me anyway) that aren't 'quick cook'. The idea being that quick cook ones expand in their stomachs whereas the 'normal' ones won't expand as much... or at least that's what I've been told. This one has been a hit with Bolin, it's just a cheap open cat litter tray (not much bigger than an A4 sheet) and filled with Fitch (similar to carefresh but less dusty, softer and thinner pieces, almost like thick tissue). Others have used leaves, plastic eggs, soil, sand, anything they can dig in that's safe. Sometimes I put up their playpen with the door open and fill it with the ping pong balls, a few plastic eggs that I have (you can even put rice or pasta in so they rattle) and their soft toys. This isn't too often as the playpen is so big but they chase each other in and out and really enjoy it. Sorry wanted to add, while it's not technically a dig box mine treat it in a similar way but water too... even with some balls floating or some dehydrated treats (most of the ones I have float which is nice) and some things at the bottom. I put a small tub in the shower and a towel outside the shower door to try minimise the mess. Korra likes it if I leave the shower running.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2015 18:02:48 GMT -5
Thanks so much!!!!
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