My fiance, Sean, finally talked to our regular ferret vet the other night
(not the one that treated Sandy in her final night).
 
The vet said that the bloodwork showed "total organ failure."  He said just
about everything in her body completely shut down.  There was nothing we
could have done.
 
Even if he had done similar bloodwork on the night we took Sandy in at the
first signs of her illness, there would still have been a 90% chance that
she wouldn't have made it anyway.  We may have prolonged her life a little
bit, but it wouldn't have been a very comfortable time for her.
 
The vet still isn't sure what the underlying cause was that triggered the
organ failure.  She was the healthiest of the bunch, except for being
slightly underweight.  Never had a cold or the runs or anything her whole
life.  Weird.
 
I find it interesting that the two first to go were the ones that I rescued
from unknown backgrounds.  Gizmo I have absolutely no idea, he was a
turn-in at the pet store.  Sandy arrived with some kind of cheap cat food
in her bowl and absolutely no social skills.
 
I guess the good news we got is that the vet adjusted our bill for the
hospital stay, so instead of the outrageous $352 originally charged, we
only pay $174 (which includes the cremation).
 
I still haven't been able to take down her cage.  I removed the food,
water, and litterbox.  But her sweatshirt, hammock, and water bottle are
still set up, and the whole cage is on my dresser.  I just have this
thing right now where I like to touch it and talk to her.
 
We (hopefully) move into our new house October 30.  I can't wait to get out
of this apartment.  Sean thinks I'm crazy, but I think the apt. is cursed.
I've lost 2 of my babies since we moved in.  The ferrets will finally have
their own room, too.  I just wish Gizmo and Sandy could have seen it.
 
=====
Aileen & the Herd minus two Herdlings
Slinky, Kyle, Noel, & Rootie the beagle
Fresh from the pain of losing Sandy. We love you, sweetheart.
Still missing Gizmo. We love you, too, baby.
 
Check out the Herd's website at:
 http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Zoo/7414/index.html
[Posted in FML issue 3181]