Aengus:
I too, have had an apparently healthy ferret pass away in his sleep.  He
wasn't OFFICIALLY mine, he was a foster ferret but we all know that doesn't
make any difference.  I had filled out the adoption paper a few days before
and not sent it in...
 
He was 4-5 years old and making great progress, as he was a fear biter.
I said good night to him at 4am, gave him a treat and he watched me
attentively as I walked to my room.  The next morning, at 11am, I awoke to
find him curled in a most uncomfortable position (shaped like an 'S') and
was terrified as I put my hand towards his body.  He was cold.  He had been
this way for many hours.  I did have a necropsy performed and nothing was
found.  No foreign body, no tumors of any sort.  We couldn't do any
toxicology tests, I didn't get him to the vet soon enough.
 
This was one of the hardest deaths I have had to deal with because the
questions are still unanswered.  My vets suggested an aneurysm.  I would be
curious to know what other people, who have had the same experience, have
been told by their vets.  I know I won't ever know, but it still puzzles me
as to what could have happened.
 
In memory of Mr. Murphy...
 
Shelby
 
Visit the Alberta Ferret Society site:
www.ferrets.edmontonab.com
[Posted in FML issue 3183]