Putting your Ferret to Rest part 3
Your vet will be able to offer advice and counsel, but the decision to put your animal down must be made by you. It's natural to hope for a miracle and put off what must be done. However, I can tell you from experience that I have regretted the times I waited until the ferret was obviously already half gone far more than the times I let them go a little earlier.
In a terminal illness, the inevitable must be faced. It's kinder to them to spare them suffering, and it will be easier for you to look back without self-recrimination.
There are a couple of methods a veterinarian may use to put an animal to sleep. They administer a lethal dosage of adrenaline, which over stimulates the heart and causes it to stop beating.
If they are able to find a vein in the leg, the medication can be inserted into the bloodstream and will cause death within a very few moments without any pain. If the veins have collapsed, it may be necessary to inject it directly into the heart, making for a speedier, but possibly more uncomfortable end.
An experience ferret vet will have a better chance of finding the heart the first time, but be aware of the possibility that a second try may be necessary. If the animal is deeply comatose, it is unlikely they will feel anything in this instance.
You can always ask to be present. It is an extremely difficult, sometimes heartbreaking, and very personal decision. There have been studies that show comatose humans can sense their surroundings and hear people speaking.
Your pet will at least inhale your comforting scent if you stay with them. Myself, I believe it is the last debt we owe our beloved friends, to be with them and ease their stress at the last moments. No matter how hard I personally find it, it is reassuring afterwards to know you gave as much comfort as possible to a pet that gave you so much love and laughter during its lifetime.
Don't forget the furry friends your ferret may have had, particularly if he or she had a special buddy.
This can be a very confusing and upsetting time for them, and we have seen case after case of ferrets who became severely depressed or only survived the loss of their friend by weeks or months. They will need extra attention now.
I once read a recommendation that you allow the survivor to see their dead partner; they may show little interest in the body, but this may help them understand what has happened. Sometimes animals are more aware of things than we may realize, and while it might sound odd, it can't really hurt anything.
In our society, we use the ritual of a funeral, wake, memorials and flowers to structure our time after losing a loved one and keep us busy until we are able to better deal with the pain.
Many people don't realize how hard it can be to lose a pet and are unprepared, and other people may not understand your grief. It is entirely natural to be upset. We form close ties with our pets; sometimes our animals have been with us for years, although it can be just as hard with one that has only been with us a short time.
We can create our own ritual to ease this difficult time. We may bury our friend in a special place or donate to an animal charity in our pet's honor, and many people place memorials in the newsletter.
I often recommend people adopt another ferret soon. This is not out of self-interest because I run a shelter! I honestly believe the most generous way to honor the memory of your pet is to take in another who has been lost or abandoned.
People who refuse to get another ferret after losing one are being selfish. You can never replace a ferret - each one is too individual and special. But you can translate all the hurt you're feeling into love and give it to an animal that desperately needs it.
In return, I can guarantee you'll get more back than you ever could have expected. And when you meet your friends at the Rainbow Bridge, you'll be greeted not only with thanks for all the care you gave them, but with their thanks for caring for others, too.
If you would like to contact the author she may be reached at agruden@ferret-fact.org
This article is writen by Vanessa Gruden, Shelter Director, FACT.
