Last night at 2:30 am, Pooh wimpered a few times, then went into a deep
sleep and died in my arms about 15 minutes later.
 
He was necropsied this morning, which showed cancer had spread through every
organ system and into his spine.  I'm not sure of the type of cancer yet,
because the histogical slides will not be ready until early next week.
 
It was obvious that Pooh was in extreme pain, and I had decided to prep him
for surgery and his insides inspected before electing to put him to sleep.
If it was inoperable, he could have gently floated off, out of pain.  But
Pooh couldn't make it that long.  For future reference to vets, ferrets
respond to similar pain meds and doses as premature babies of similar
weight.  I'm afraid to say more than that because of ethical concerns.  But,
with careful monitoring, they seem to reduce pain to tolerable levels.  Say
no more.
 
I can't tell you a lot about Pooh because I've only cared for him for the
last couple of weeks.  Because of his extreme ill health, I was with him
most of the time, and, until he became to uncomfortable, I would carry him
in a chest sack to keep him warm and to help comfort him.  With the death of
a ferret that required so much work, there is the relief you feel when it is
all over, but there is also a loss.
 
Thanks for all the letters of encouragement and support.
 
Bob C and 19 MO Monkees (Missing Pooh and Jet)
[Posted in FML issue 2253]