Could really use some help :[

[Deleted]

I went up to the cage about an hour ago and found Oliver dead. He seemed 100% healthy to me and I am in complete shock and disbelievement. I feel paralyzed and so upset. My other guy Dodger as soon as he saw Olivers body just curled up in my lap and layed there. He usually does not do this and is just laying here breathing shallowy. He is just so depressed to lose Oliver and I dont know what to do except hold him. Please give me advice so I dont lose him too

[Deleted]

I dont know for sure, but maybe Dodger isnt depressed, but whatever happened to Oliver happened to him too? I mean like accidentaly eating some bad food or something. Im not sure though, I havent had any of my furbabies die on me yet. I have heard that ferrets get really depressed when their cage mates die though

good luck! and DIP little Oliver!

[acodlin]

Could oliver have gotten into something poisonous? I worry about Dodger, do you think its depression or could he be ill? I'd get a vet check and/or a necropsy done for Oliver.

[Deleted]

The only thing I noticed wrong with oliver is that it looks like he peed/pooped on himself when he died. I checked my entire room and found nothing that seems poisonous or not ferret proofed. Also Dodger perked up when I offered him his favorite Ferretvite he just keeps nudging me with his nose and I really think its depression. What else causes sudden death? Yesterday he was running around playing and even his poops were normal :/

[Deleted]

Honestly, there are things that seem like 'sudden' death when it was actually a prolonged condition and you only notice it the day or two before. Such as, I know some ferret owners had ferrets with different cancers and they all seemed healthy at least until the day before.

I would get a necropsy done for sure and get Dodger checked even if you think it is depression. Better safe than sorry. In the meantime, just give Dodger a lot of attention. Make sure he is eating, drinking, and pooping. Give him lots of love. And get him to the vet asap (next day if possible).

Sorry for your loss.

[Heather]

You need to find out what happened to Oliver. You've got to get a vet to do a necropsy. Your other little one's life might depend on this. I know this sounds horrible but Dodger probably wouldn't show depression to this quickly....You need to get your little ones to the vet asap. The longer you wait the greater the danger. The longer you wait the further damage happens to Oliver's body the less likely they won't find answers. I'm sorry. There will be a time for grief, but it's not now

ciao

[Deleted]

If you have the money..and still have him with you, Are you willing to do a necropsy?
I'm so sorry for your loss what did his poop look like?
Has he been at full playing capacity?
What time was he let out last?

I would get your other boy to the vet asap!

[Deleted]

I am deinitely willing to do a necroscopy and the vets open tomorow morning at 9- will this be too late? should i refridgerate the body? Dodger is drinking water, eating and walking around but just seems exhausted. Oliver was out this morning and playing with me and when I weighed him a few days ago he had actually gained 3 ounces from the weak before. He was full of energy and I am baffled as to how there were no signs. He had no swelling, solid poops, no hair loss, no appetite change or no change in personality at all. The only different change that has happened at all lately is me giving them their first few licks of raw soup two days ago. I followed the recipe exactly and I almost doubt it could be related.

[Deleted]

Is it possible he had a stroke?
How old is he?

I've never had one of mine die at home with me.. they were always helped through. So i'm unsure of whether you are supposed to refrigerate or not..

[acodlin]

Yes he needs to be in cold storage to stop him from decomposing. I would refrigerate for tonight if the necropsy will be done tomorrow.

Im so sorry for your loss I had three pass away last year and it never gets easier.

[Sherry]

Refridgerate the body, but do not freeze. Freezing damages the tissues and fluids beyond the ability of some of the testing that will need to be done. I am so very, very sorry this has happened.
For your other little guy, if it is just depression Bach's Rescue Remedy will help take the edge off. You'll need to keep him from just curling up and giving up. Take him with you whenever you can. Expose him to new sights, sounds and smells.
But most of all- you need to find out what happened to Oliver to make sure Dodger is going to be safe. (((((hugs)))))

[Deleted]

any updates?

[Deleted]

Yeah as soon as the vets office opened I called them and they said it was too late for a necropsy because rigor mortis already set in. So, instead I buried Oliver in the yard and took Dodger and my other ferret Khaleesi to the vet for checkups. She thinks that Oliver probably had lymphoma that showed no symptoms until maybe the day before but she said a heart attack is also possible. She then said that contagious ferret diseases are pretty rare but that the most common would be a respiratory infection. She listened to their lungs and said they sound perfect and that their eyes and heartrates also looked great. So, she told me not to be worried unless their appetite changes or anything. Hopefully she's right and they will be okay. Everytime I go in my room and see them sleeping I think theyre dead and I just keep shaking them awake all of the time to ease my nerves

[Deleted]

Also where can I buy Bachs Rescue Remedy?

[Deleted]

Thats good news about Dodger and Khaleesi!! Hope everything turns out alright. I had a cat once who died out of the blue when he was only 7, and I never did find out what happened to him Its tough but at least little Oliver was happy til the end!