I am new to this list, I have been lurking for the last 4 days.  I was a
ferret owner YEARS ago to 2 beautiful albinos, Bogey and Bacall.  Just last
week, after 10 years of no ferts, I acquired a MF ferret..gorgeous little
boy by the name of Chandler..he's 9 weeks old.  It (obviously) took me a
long to time to get another fuzzie...which brings me to my point..regarding
the quality of life,..when to treat or when to euthanize.
 
I have been a veterinary tech. for a long time and have seen countless
families struggle with this decision.  After mine HAD to be euthanized, I
was depressed for a very long time.  But the one thing I have learned over
the years, and I imparted this thought to many a people struggling with
this issue...your little one will let you know when he is ready to go.
 
Yes I understand money is usually an issue to keep any kind of treatment
up, those who have it, can, I always encourage my clients to beg or borrow,
it always makes the decision to euthanize a more painful one,...sometimes,
I worked with a pretty compassionate vet, we would treat the animal and
then adopt it out..but we couldnt always do that.
 
Anyway, my point is, listen to your pet, if he is still poopin' and peein'
and eating, His quality of life is acceptable to him.
 
I know we all want to do what we can to save our little ones from dying,
but if you woke up every morning in your own feces and urine, and had to be
tube fed...you have no quality of life..NO MATTER how loved you are, love
will not cure a terminal illness.
 
Please dont label me as not compassionate, that is actually my downfall as
a vet.tech, I cry every time we must put an animal down, I cry with the
owner..I cry myself to sleep at night, but I have seen to many people
prolong the issue, because they are not ready to let go.  JUST LISTEN TO
YOUR PET.
 
June
[Posted in FML issue 2514]