Hi fellow FMLers,

I am hoping to get some advice from some of the more experienced ferret
folks. Here is my situation, I have had ferrets for almost 10 years
now. My first ferret was a rescue I only had him for about 2 1/2 years
before he died on the operating table. I am currently owned by 3
ferrets, two 6 year old and a 7 year old. My seven year old Zeek was
diagnosed with Insulinom in August of 05, and has been on Pred ever
since, he gets it twice a day. Within the last few months I also saw
the signs of adrenal and he has received a lupron shot. But at this
point with Zeek being on Pred for over 2 years he has quite a big Pred
belly. He has gotten to the point that he slightly drags his feet when
he walks, most of the time he can't get his back end up into the litter
box to use it, so when he does just go on the ground (i have tile
floors) the urine gets all over his belly, and he over the years he has
really just lost his energy and interest to play so he spends most of
his time sleeping.

Tonight I had an incident with one of the other ferrets and all of them
needed to be bathed. It wasn't time for Zeek to get his meds yet. When
I went to bathe him it was obvious half way through that his sugar
level was low as he was pretty lifeless and then was even panting. I
got him out of the bath ASAP and got him his meds and duck soup. But
at this point I am just wandering if he is suffering, what his quality
of life is, whether it's time to help him cross over the bridge.

I already have an appointment with my vet this Saturday for all of them
for a check up. Can some of the veterans or those who have experience
this give me any advice. I love him so much but I don't want to be
selfish even though I can't bear the thought of not having him with me.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you
Kimberly

[Posted in FML 5791]