Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2011 3:55:15 GMT -5
Last summer I went to a pet shop to get feeder mice. Pet shop had changed hands and was in horrible state. Filthy, smelly, bird dander everywher, algae in the fish tanks, overcrowded rodent bins. In a fish tank being displayed for sale were 2 ferrts! Both of which jumped up to say hi to me. Seeing my interest the store keep came over and pulled one out saying he'd do a good deal on this one because it was a biter. Long story short I forked over more money than I should have, but wanted to get at least one ferret out of the tank. On the way home a call to a ferret rescuef friend put in motion the means to rescue the sister ferret the next day. The so called "biter" was a chocolate ferret with an incredibly solid body. Her sister was a leaner black sable. Both are Triple F ferrets. BOTH FERRETS HAD CLODS OF POOP STUCK TO THEIR CLAWS. Matted fur and difficulty walking. Pet shop reported theyld had the ferrets for a couple months. Imagine what 60 days in a small fish tank on glass floors with not enoug substrate to create traction will do to developing bones, joints and muscles!
In no time at all both ferrets were chowing down on natural foods and soon developing strong limbs. The "biter" put her teeth to proper use and learned to play with people. Her name came easily: She was absolutely Wacky in her antics. Chocolate color as rich as hers could only originate from the Wonka chocolate factory. Being rescued from a fish tank had her hooked as Wanda. So she becaame my "Wonderful Wacky Wanda Wonka" ferret! Her sister was Christened simply "Whoopi" being black and crazy like Whoopi Goldberg. Wanda grew to be a 2 pound 4 ounce ferret that absolutely revelled in life.
But she had an odd cough and stilted gait behind. Vet check put her on antibiotics to combat the cough. after a couple rounds still coughing she was x-rayed. which offered no conclusions. But a peek down her maw revealed a white spot in back of her throat. Vet called it an abscess, lanced it and Wanda downed yet another round of antibiotics, which after the culture came back was switched to a fourth type!
Life continued, Wanda developed hind end strength and accompanied me to the fair for an outing and several other jaunts about town. she became Roman's special girl and aggravated RC by commandeering the fuzzy tumbler toy.
But Wanda's life came to a tragic end. On a Thursday night I noticed she seemed off her feed. Usually a voracious eater, she didn't tuck into dinner as usual. I Didn't think too much of it. she might have just finished a jerky treat before I offered raw dinner. Breakfast on Friday was met with mild interest. coming home fromwork she had no interest in dinner so I staryed hand feeding and syringe feeding water. kept this up every couple hours all weekend. She'd started couging again and the white spot in her throat was back. Took her to vet Monday as she'd dropped a pound over the weekend! They hydrated her, gave me antibiotics for her and sent her home that evening. wednesday brought no change in her appetite and still syringe feeding so back to the vet. she spent the night there. xrays revealed "huge gas bubble in stomach" but no defined blockage. Sent her back home. still syringe feeding and medicating with an arsenal of pain killers, antibiotics, anti nausea and pepto. Still no change in appetite through the weekend so back to vet on Monday. arrangements made for surgery. She was a whisper of her former robust large self. All through the forced feedings and vet poking and prodding she never once offered to bite or show agitation!But she was apathetic little waif now. Surgery revealed sheld ingested half of a foam ear plug. This had passed partly through her system before stopping. as food boluses backed up her intestine would stretch until the food passed which was why she was still showing decent deposits. However at some point her intestine tore, then healed and adhered to the foam!Eventually peritonitis set in after yet another tear and my Wonderful Wacky Wanda Wonka just couldn't fight the infection. I visited her soon after her surgery. She was in an incubator connected to an IV. Grinding her teeth. I spoke to her and stroked her silken head. She raised her head into my hand and let out a big sigh. I crooned to her lovingly and sang her sunshine song. She laid back down and sighed again. Stopped grinding her teeth and went to sleep.
Had to go back to work. Returned later when vet called. Wanda was going non responsive. She wouldn't even swallow when liquid was trickled to her. I made yet another heart wrenching decision to send my Wonderful Wacky Wanda Wonka on to a better place.
The foam ear plug she ate was one I use when riding my motorcycle. something I use to keep myself in good health had killed my Wanda. she got ahold of it after Crystal, my flying ferret, had managed to climb on top of a four drawer file cabinet and excavate the contents of my cycle tank bag. I recovered the keys, gloves, foam lined goggles from Crystal's plundering. But completely forgot about the ear plugs!
Wanda left my world March 1st 2011. I miss her dearly. Her sister misses her and Roman was depressed for two weeks and went off his feed too.
I now keep an inventory of pocket book and tank bag contents. also keep these type of bags in the "forbidden room". I know it isn't possible to insulate these inquisitive characters from every last possible harmful item; but I can't help feeling like it was my fault.
Farewell Wacky Wanda Wonka life with you, though much too short, was a wonderful life! I love you.
In no time at all both ferrets were chowing down on natural foods and soon developing strong limbs. The "biter" put her teeth to proper use and learned to play with people. Her name came easily: She was absolutely Wacky in her antics. Chocolate color as rich as hers could only originate from the Wonka chocolate factory. Being rescued from a fish tank had her hooked as Wanda. So she becaame my "Wonderful Wacky Wanda Wonka" ferret! Her sister was Christened simply "Whoopi" being black and crazy like Whoopi Goldberg. Wanda grew to be a 2 pound 4 ounce ferret that absolutely revelled in life.
But she had an odd cough and stilted gait behind. Vet check put her on antibiotics to combat the cough. after a couple rounds still coughing she was x-rayed. which offered no conclusions. But a peek down her maw revealed a white spot in back of her throat. Vet called it an abscess, lanced it and Wanda downed yet another round of antibiotics, which after the culture came back was switched to a fourth type!
Life continued, Wanda developed hind end strength and accompanied me to the fair for an outing and several other jaunts about town. she became Roman's special girl and aggravated RC by commandeering the fuzzy tumbler toy.
But Wanda's life came to a tragic end. On a Thursday night I noticed she seemed off her feed. Usually a voracious eater, she didn't tuck into dinner as usual. I Didn't think too much of it. she might have just finished a jerky treat before I offered raw dinner. Breakfast on Friday was met with mild interest. coming home fromwork she had no interest in dinner so I staryed hand feeding and syringe feeding water. kept this up every couple hours all weekend. She'd started couging again and the white spot in her throat was back. Took her to vet Monday as she'd dropped a pound over the weekend! They hydrated her, gave me antibiotics for her and sent her home that evening. wednesday brought no change in her appetite and still syringe feeding so back to the vet. she spent the night there. xrays revealed "huge gas bubble in stomach" but no defined blockage. Sent her back home. still syringe feeding and medicating with an arsenal of pain killers, antibiotics, anti nausea and pepto. Still no change in appetite through the weekend so back to vet on Monday. arrangements made for surgery. She was a whisper of her former robust large self. All through the forced feedings and vet poking and prodding she never once offered to bite or show agitation!But she was apathetic little waif now. Surgery revealed sheld ingested half of a foam ear plug. This had passed partly through her system before stopping. as food boluses backed up her intestine would stretch until the food passed which was why she was still showing decent deposits. However at some point her intestine tore, then healed and adhered to the foam!Eventually peritonitis set in after yet another tear and my Wonderful Wacky Wanda Wonka just couldn't fight the infection. I visited her soon after her surgery. She was in an incubator connected to an IV. Grinding her teeth. I spoke to her and stroked her silken head. She raised her head into my hand and let out a big sigh. I crooned to her lovingly and sang her sunshine song. She laid back down and sighed again. Stopped grinding her teeth and went to sleep.
Had to go back to work. Returned later when vet called. Wanda was going non responsive. She wouldn't even swallow when liquid was trickled to her. I made yet another heart wrenching decision to send my Wonderful Wacky Wanda Wonka on to a better place.
The foam ear plug she ate was one I use when riding my motorcycle. something I use to keep myself in good health had killed my Wanda. she got ahold of it after Crystal, my flying ferret, had managed to climb on top of a four drawer file cabinet and excavate the contents of my cycle tank bag. I recovered the keys, gloves, foam lined goggles from Crystal's plundering. But completely forgot about the ear plugs!
Wanda left my world March 1st 2011. I miss her dearly. Her sister misses her and Roman was depressed for two weeks and went off his feed too.
I now keep an inventory of pocket book and tank bag contents. also keep these type of bags in the "forbidden room". I know it isn't possible to insulate these inquisitive characters from every last possible harmful item; but I can't help feeling like it was my fault.
Farewell Wacky Wanda Wonka life with you, though much too short, was a wonderful life! I love you.
Such a tragedy 
We try but we cannot protect them from all their antics. There is a reason why in ferret terminology "death by misadventure" is one of the most common killers of ferrets, though I know from experience it doesn't do anything to ease one's own pain or feeling of responsibility 