henry d Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 I have a spaniel that is now doing 1/2 days beating/picking up as she`s almost 13 and I have a ferret that is 8 1/2 years old and was still working last year as well as ever. The old spaniel still loves to work so she gets either a 1/2 day if the weather is bad or gets to walk at heel for the start of the drive when the youngster is going berserk and then gets to work the flushing point. I know that when she is in pain or has little quality of life I will get the vet in, however my concern is my oldest ferret. She lost her upper canines 18 month ago and has been losing weight and seems to be a bag of bones for the past year and her molars are now very worn and she has to have her food minced and fed to her when the other, younger, ferrets are elsewhere otherwise she doesn`t get as much as she should. I`m now finding she is getting slower with her food and seems to take an age to chew it, I`ve checked and she doesn`t have any jaw problems. She gets all the best bits lean muscle, heart, liver(but not too much), kidneys, scrambled egg(occaisionally) and I add animal fat to her food as well as bone meal to make sure she is getting all the required vitamins and minerals. Yet despite this she doesn`t seem to be thriving, don`t get me wrong she seems to be as lively as a pensioner ferret can be, she still climbs he wire as soon as you lift the roof of the cub open, I don`t want her to suffer as winter is approaching fast and I`ve been contemplating taking her for one last walk. What are your views ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 H, I always find that you know in your heart when it is time to do the right thing. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tulkyuk Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 You Know what to do Henry - it's just going to be a sad day - just remeber she has had a good life ( 8.5 years is some age for a ferret) :unsure: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markio Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 As NTTF said. My wife had her horse put down last month. There wasn't any single issue as such but small problems combined meant that it couldn't lead the quality of life that it should have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malkiserow Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 Henry, we all know you understand what has to be done. The animals welfare comes first you just need to be brave. I am sure the others who have been through this situation fully support you and understand your dilema. Maybe just one more trip out to the warren .....? MS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapshot Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 H, I always find that you know in your heart when it is time to do the right thing. NTTF well said. There's only one person that can answer your question and it looks like you have just about made the decision anyway. I just wish we humans had the same options available to us when we near the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 Hi hd, as NTTF has said, you will make the right decision when the time comes. Sounds from her diet that she has earned her time in retirement! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Elvis Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 H, I always find that you know in your heart when it is time to do the right thing. NTTF stupid.gif well said. There's only one person that can answer your question and it looks like you have just about made the decision anyway. I just wish we humans had the same options available to us when we near the end. Doubly well said both of you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 I would continue to keep her warm and dry and carry on as you are, unless she becomes distressed, or in pain. Every one of my ferrets have died in their sleep. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted November 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 H, I always find that you know in your heart when it is time to do the right thing. NTTF You are indeed right, many thanks ! All my other ferrets have died in their sleep so having to do what was necessary was very hard. She had a meal of pigeon breast and liver before I took her and I checked her teeth after she passed away and she only had 2 lower canines and 2 molars so I feel I did the right thing. Many thanks for the replies everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonsey Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 I'm sorry Henry, I think you did what was best for her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuck1 Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 Well done Henry. Without trying to sound at all patronising, I think you knew the answer, and wanted a bit of confirmation. You have undoubtably done the right thing. It is a very difficult decision to make. Good for you. I have had the same decision to make before and have postponed it in a cowardly fashion telling myself that it was for the best.For me maybe, not for the animal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest The Outlaw Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 I cried like a baby when I had to have my 13 year old welsh springer "Sian" or "Barney" or "Bird dog"(with her ears up) or "barn pot" when she was tearing around. It wasnt a hard decision to make, she was taken ill after a bad season and they discovered she had a tumor the size of a melon on her womb. This was removed and even the vet was stunned when she seemed to make a good recovery, the vet said she wouldnt last the night, but in the morning there was "Barney" waiting for me looking great. Then over the next 2 weeks she got bad again and I took her back to the vet and they found she had another tumor even bigger than the last. That was it for me and her "Game over" As the needle went in I said as I held her see you on the other side Pup and then she was gone. I bawled my eyes out along with the vet and her nurses. Still get upset now even writting this. Your animals are a big thing and sometimes you dont realise until its to late how much you love them. Henry I feel for you mate Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry d Posted November 9, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 This is her during better days............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dusk2dawn Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 H, I always find that you know in your heart when it is time to do the right thing. NTTF Best advice anyone can give, time comes and you have to do what you are comfortable with. D2D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ROBLATCH Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 sorry to hear that henry.but you did the best thing. you put the welfare of her first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soreshoulder Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 I cried like a baby when I had to have my 13 year old welsh springer "Sian" or "Barney" or "Bird dog"(with her ears up) or "barn pot" when she was tearing around.It wasnt a hard decision to make, she was taken ill after a bad season and they discovered she had a tumor the size of a melon on her womb. This was removed and even the vet was stunned when she seemed to make a good recovery, the vet said she wouldnt last the night, but in the morning there was "Barney" waiting for me looking great. Then over the next 2 weeks she got bad again and I took her back to the vet and they found she had another tumor even bigger than the last. That was it for me and her "Game over" As the needle went in I said as I held her see you on the other side Pup and then she was gone. I bawled my eyes out along with the vet and her nurses. Still get upset now even writting this. Your animals are a big thing and sometimes you dont realise until its to late how much you love them. Henry I feel for you mate Tony that brought a tear to my eye, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 This is her during better days............. Lovely colour H You need to send some of those down south mate You have nothing to blame yourself for mate as you went far beyond duty with the care you gave your ferret H. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikky Posted November 10, 2007 Report Share Posted November 10, 2007 its never easy..i had to make the decision to put my dog down after 16 yrs,i carried her to the vets and held her in my arms while she was put to sleep,i remember crying like a baby in vets waiting room,that was 10 yrs ago and i still miss her... mikky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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