Dr.  Kawasaki called tonight with Bree's autopsy result.  (She died two
days following pancreatic surgery 3 weeks ago) The cause of death was Acute
Pyelo Nephritis, or a bacterial infection of the kidneys, which caused
kidney failure.
 
He says that in the vast majority of the cases, the infection spreads from
the bladder.  In other words, she SHOULD have been sick beforehand.  But,
she never acted sick at all.  She was very happy and active right up to the
surgery.  She also should have had a fever, but she didn't for most of the
time we were taking it following surgery.  She did spike a fever, briefly,
the 2nd evening, right before we took her back to the hotel for the night.
But, I kind of attribute that to having her so wrapped up.  It went down
quickly.  In fact, her temperature took a nose dive about an hour or so
later and I had to use the heating pad.
 
*sigh* I don't know what to think of this news.  On one hand, I have to
wonder what would have happened if we had run tests before surgery, or if
she had been on antibiotics sooner.  On the other hand, would she have died
even if I didn't opt for surgery.
 
I guess I'll never know....
 
I want to thank everyone for all the support you gave me after Percy and
Bree's death.  I feel terrible that I never got a chance to reply to many
of you.  I tried, but there just aren't enough hours in the day sometimes.
And, I admit, it was a little difficult to keep dredging up those emotions
over and over again.  Just know that if I didn't reply personally, I still
appreciate your sympathies very much.  You were all wonderful, and a big
help emotionally.
 
I did find Popcorn a friend.  If you can call him that.  She's just now
starting to decide that he's around for good so trying to intimidate him to
leave won't do any good.  His name is Graham, and he's a 2 1/2 year old
sable from Pam Grant's shelter.  He's a real sweetheart.  She's been a bit
of a bully, not really biting him, but just sitting an inch or so away and
STARING at him.  He's afraid of her, and will just lay as still as he can
for a minute, then try to slowly sneak away.  There have been a few
screaming matches, but not anything too violent.  They are starting to not
be so afraid of each other, but there is still a ways to go.
 
Has anyone else noticed that when one ferret is intimidating another, that
the submissive ferret will go over and pretend to eat or drink.  It seems to
be an instinctive "SAFE!" for them.  I've noticed this before, but it was
particularly obvious when I first brought Graham home.  And, it works, the
aggressor will usually back off.
 
Bree was such a Mommy's Girl, that after her death there was a big empty
spot in my life.  I really miss having someone enthusiastically greet me
when I come home.  So, this Friday we will be picking up our 11 week old
puppy.  I did a lot of research to try and find a good breed to have with
the ferrets, and have decided on a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.  PWC's are in the
herding group, are very intelligent and easy to train, and tend to get along
well with other pets.  As a herding dog, he may drive the ferrets nuts (and
vice versa), but he shouldn't be aggressive towards them.  Also getting him
as a puppy should help, too.  I'll let everyone know how the ferrets like
the new addition to our family.
 
- Nancy
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Nancy Stephens                                  [log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1348]