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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 17:38:16 GMT -5
Unfortunately my little Jane passed away on Sunday unexpectedly. She has had a lot of digestive issues and I took her to the emergency vet for a prolapsed rectum. Sadly, her heart stopped when she was being woken up from the sedation, and 15 minutes of CPR didn't bring her back.
I'm trying so hard to ease the greif of her Cagemate and best friend, Badger. They have been together since I brought Badger him from the pet store a little over 3 years ago and he misses her deeply. He saw her leave in the create for the vet, but I didn't think to bring her body home (I did private cremation) so he spent a large part of Sunday night looking for her, running from each hiding spaces then plooping at my feet and looking sad. Yesterday he searched less, but slept a lot and didn't seem to be interested in play time. I tried to wake him up every few hours, hold him while I fed him some soupy and give him extra hugs and kisses.
My question is what else can we do to help him? We have been interacting with him a lot more, more freedom to roam as well as me giving him the soup to make sure he is eating. I got some Bach Flower RR and it will be here tomorrow. I've also set up a little ferret play date with a ferret rescue this weekend and if he takes a liking to any of them, we are ready to adopt.
Should I just let him continue to sleep, or force him to wake up more often? Should I wash the bedding of Jane's smell and clean out Thier old hiding/sleep spots so the memories aren't as strong? Any suggestions I appreciate!
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Post by LindaM on Apr 25, 2017 18:02:30 GMT -5
My condolences to you and your little boy. Please keep a very close eye on him, depression can spiral very quickly and very sharply, and we wouldn't want to lose him too. The RR can be very helpful during this time, so be sure to use some as soon as you get it. Be aware that he may NOT want to have another friend, so don't try to force him if he doesn't seem to like anyone. Sometimes nothing can help fill that hole of who they have lost. If he does take to any of them, that's great. Though whenever you get a new addition, they need to be kept quarantined apart from one another for at least 2 weeks, just a precaution against things like ECE, which would be disastrous. Keep a close eye on him and make sure that he is still continuing to eat and drink normally, give him lots of hugs, love, and kisses and be sure he gets extra attention and playtime too. I'm gonna tag some of the admins who might also be able to help offer advice on what you can do right now. Sherry, Heather, katt, unclejoe. You may wish to read through these links too, and see if you find anything helpful: holisticferretforum.com/care-and-enrichment/helping-ferrets-cope-with-grief/
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 21:42:42 GMT -5
Thanks Linda. I have been watching him as closely as I can. He will eat soup and treats as I offer them to him, but he doesn't seem to be drinking water other than off my fingers and he will hid the hard kibble under the bed then come back for more, but no crunching, eating noises. I'm going to start making his soup with part unflavored Pedialyte to be sure he stays hydrated. He's being a little more active today than, hiding socks we offer him and he has been through his tunnel a handful of times, but he still doesn't seem like he wants to play with me. He appreciates the extras hugs though and kisses me back ♥️
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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2017 21:45:18 GMT -5
Oh and I know about the possibility of him not accepting another friend. Like I said if he clicks with one we will adopt. If not, we will give him a little more time on his own and try again in a bit. Badger seems to.be more of a social ferret than Jane was, so I really hope he can find some relief in another fuzzy.
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Post by Heather on Apr 26, 2017 0:30:26 GMT -5
Hand feed, show lots of love, snuggles and extra play. Don't let him crawl away. Good luck and hugs to both of you ciao
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Post by unclejoe on Apr 26, 2017 5:57:14 GMT -5
I very sorry for your loss. DIP, Jane. Most.y, I've had either 1 ferret or at least 3-4. I've only seen grieving once, really. I've never had problems introducing a new ferret one or two at a time. I hope Badger finds a new buddy.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 9:43:04 GMT -5
Do you guys think I should wash all the bedding to remove her scent or keep it?
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Post by Sherry on Apr 26, 2017 10:33:02 GMT -5
Try washing all but one piece. If he clings to it, leave it. If he avoids it, wash it. I am so sorry for your loss.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 12:11:12 GMT -5
Thanks Sherry. Their cage had a lot of fabric- 2 blankets in the bottom, 2 hammocks and a alligator sleep sack. So I'll wash everything except for the alligator she see if that's where he goes when put away.
Recommendations on how much/long I should let him sleep? I just got home from work (thankfully my job is flexible and I can work out my last few hours at home someyimes) and I woke him up and tried to play with him but he really just walked around. I fed him some soup mixture and he just crawled under the couch to sleep again. He was awake for about 20 minutes.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2017 12:13:37 GMT -5
I hate to keep asking all these questions, it just breaks my heart to have lost Jane and I know Badger has to be hurting just as bad. Helping him get through it is helping me get through it too.
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Post by Heather on Apr 27, 2017 0:41:29 GMT -5
Keep asking, we learn from this as well. Each ferret reacts differently to this. Some like your boy become depressed withdrawn others become angry and quite nasty, others don't really seem to be affected. Can you take your boy out, for a walk, to go dig in the garden, visit a pet store....something different to break his cycle of apathy ciao
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Post by Sherry on Apr 27, 2017 10:27:31 GMT -5
That is what I had to do with Lucrezia- take her out everywhere. It did help.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Apr 27, 2017 15:28:14 GMT -5
I am so sorry for your loss. Hoping your little one recuperates from the loss of his friend. DIP sweet Jane
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Post by Deleted on Apr 27, 2017 19:21:02 GMT -5
Yesterday was a great day for Badger. I got the RR in the mail around 5, woke him up and gave him some. He was up for about 20 minutes then went back to bed. But when he woke up he was like the same old ferret! He ran around with me, zooming through his tunnel, dooking and jumping at the dangly toys. He even ate a few prices of hard food. I still haven't seen him drink water, but he is drinking the soup I give him and will lick the water from my fingers. What are the signs of dehydratation just so I can be aware?
Today I just got home and gave him some more RR. No playing yet, but he was running around my apartment, and he seemed to be more exploring, rather than looking for Jane. Also the ferret rescue is coming to do a home visit Saturday as part of the adoption application and bringing some fur babies with them for badger to meet. I'm hopefully!
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Post by Heather on Apr 28, 2017 1:33:19 GMT -5
Signs of dehydration; pull the lips away from the teeth/gums... the gums, should appear smooth, moist, a healthy pink. Dehydration often shows by sticky, gummy feel, saliva may appear whitish instead of clear. Some ferrets will display tenting of the skin at the scruff but this method is inconsistent the checking of gums and tongue is by far a superior method. If Badger is eating a fair quantity of soupy he may not need much extra moisture, he's getting it from the soupy It sounds like he's turning the corner and has decided life is worth living. Good luck with your application, interview and meet and greet ciao
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