Most heartfelt condolences to you... It's gotta be hard losing a beloved
furkid, and that much harder if you think it might have been preventable.
 
As for the periodic nosecount, it can't be stressed enough how important
it is, and I would also add - teach your kids to come to a sqeeky toy or
whatever they will respond to - THAT SAVED ONE OF MY FURKIDS LIVES on
Friday!
 
Here's what happened:
I let the kids (3 of mine and 3 fosters) out for their morning romp before
I went to work.  When it was time for me to leave, I began the weazil
roundup, and discovered that several of the kids had managed to get under
the recliner, which up to that point had been ferret proof and had caused
no problems.  I lifted the recliner and tipped it back some, scooped the
furkids out, and set it back down.  Then, called the kids with the squeeky
toy.  1,2,3,4,5 ferrets - no Freckles, who ALWAYS responds to the toy, so I
started looking.
 
In just a few seconds I found her pinned between part of the recliner's
wooden support and the tile floor.  The wooden bar had caught her right
behind her head.  I lifted the chair and pulled her out - she was NOT
breathing and I could hear no heartbeat.  What a horrible feeling!!!  I
breathed into her, and she took a huge breath and moved a little bit.  I
rubbed nutrical on her gums, and she became aware enough to start licking
it off my finger.  At that point there was no movement in her back legs.
I put her in the cage and called the emergency vet, who is ferret
knowledgable - he said watch her for an hour, give her the nutracal every
20 minutes or so and if she was still having problems, bring her in.  I
took her to work with me, and within an hour and a half she was back to
being her perky inquisitive self.  I called and got an appointment for
later in the day, because she still had very limited strength in her
hindquarters.  She continued to improve throughout the day, and by the time
the vet saw her at 3:00 she was walking and willing to explore the exam
room.  She got a shot of cortisone, and I took her home and promptly
removed the recliner from the area where the ferrets roam free.
 
I think all the ferret angels were watching over Freckles - she's back to
her normal spunky self, except for being a little more cuddly and
affectionate.
 
So, teach your kids to come and do those nose counts!
 
Hugs, kisses and raisins to the furkids,
Peg, Freckles, Frolic, Jersey, Dante, Chuy, Little Guy and Kirby the
Wonder Cat
[Posted in FML issue 2440]