I know that this is kind of long but I feel that it will make me feel
better to share this story with everyone.  So, if you have the time, go
ahead and read on, it would be appreciated.
 
My very first ferret, Buck, passed away Thursday night, the night of my
birthday.  Buck had been ill for several months with a tumor and also
ulcers.  He had been taking steroids to control the tumor and also
carafate to ease the discomfort in his stomach.  So, the first time he
got sick I took him to the vet.  He concluded that Buck had a tumor and
the he stopped eating because of the ulcer.  So, Buck receive a B-12
vitamin shot and some prednisone(sp) for the tumor and also carafate for
the ulcers.  Soon, Buck was up and going eating all the time and playing
all the time.  But, time went by and all of a sudden one day he was back
where he started, not eating and not doing much of anything all day.  So,
back to the vet and he received the same meds and was back up and active
again.  Then time went by and he again stopped eating and became very
tired and slept all the time.  So, back to the vet and soon he was up and
going again.  But, each time he had gotten sick I noticed that he was
always worse than he was the last time he got sick.  I knew deep inside
that it wasn't a good sign.  So, all was going very well, I was back in
school, and Buck was doing better then ever.  Until earlier in the week
one evening when Buck began throwing up all night long and "heaving" and
trying to spit up anything inside his stomach.  This time, he became
extremely weak.  He couldn't even find the energy to get himself down one
level of the cage to use the bathroom or eat or drink.  He would drag
himself out of the hammock and then lie there until he got the energy to
pull him to the ramp and "slide" down to the next level where he would
again lie for some time.  Then he'd get up again and decide to go to the
bathroom right where he was but would end up just slowly having his back
droop over and he would fall to the side and lay there.  It was the most
awful and heartbreaking thing I have ever seen.  My mother was so upset
she would even begin to cry.  It was such an awful and horrible feeling
to see such a small, tiny, and helpless animal that was so energetic and
full of love days before, just lying there in pain.  But, on Thursday it
came to the point where he would try to move and end up pulling his rear
around and I found him on the ramp to the mid level of the cage with his
head pushed against the side of the cage.  It was a horrible sight and I
could not bear seeing him like that anymore.  On Thursday, my 16th
birthday, I don't think that Buck closed his eyes once, even while
sleeping.  So, I called the vet and asked for an appointment and wasn't
able to get one until Friday afternoon.  But, I went to bed after I had
held and petted Buck for some time, leaving him in the hammock where he
liked to sleep.  The next morning I woke up to go to school and went
downstairs only to find a tiny, harmless, and lifeless body lying on the
floor of the cage next to the litter box.  It looked as if he was
sleeping so I believe that he passed away peacefully in his sleep.  It
was heartbreaking to see him but then again I thought that now his
suffering is forever over and he will forever be in a much more peaceful
and happier place.  Buck was a one of a kind ferret.  Always gentle,
never bit, and was always loving everyone to play with.  He was the
perfect ferret to be the first ferret in my family.  I will never ever
forget him and he was always be remembered by me.  I will always miss
him.
 
R.I.P Buck,
You will always be remembered.
You leave behind a saddened and loving family of 5 and a lonely and
loving fellow ferret.
[Posted in FML issue 3912]