Hi Kevin,
 
I damn near cried reading your two posts.  My heart and prayers go out
to you this morning for your pain, your losses..  I can tell you that
breath-holding, and a few visits to the vet, are about all you can do
right now.
 
I had a similar experience.  I purchased Dakota, a baby fert, and took him
home to meet his 5 brothers and sisters.  Within 3 days, all 5 were sick.
Green slime diarrea (sp), no appetites, lethargic, etc.  Not Keesha,
though.  Keesh I found, already gone, the day after Dakota came.  She was
laying at the bottom of the cage, looked like she just fell asleep right
where she was.  I was shocked!  Keesh wasn't even sick!!!  I cried, and
cried, and cried.  She was my little princess!  She showered kisses on me
whenever I could get her to keep still long enough.  Now, she was just
gone!
 
Two days later, Izzy was sick, black tarry stools, skin and bones.  The vet
had given me Pepcid, an antibiotic, and told me to feed them sustacal.  I
force fed as much as they would take, hoping against hope they would pull
through.  Then, Izzy was gone!
 
I, too, thought I must be a terrible ferret mommy.  How could I have let
this happen?  The vet explained it was ECE, that there was nothing I could
do except the best I could.
 
So, that's what I did.  I know in my heart, I did everything I could
humanly do to help my babies heal from their disease.  The rest was up to
the powers that be.  I guess I'm writing because I know what it feels like
to lose fuzzies one right after the other, feeling helpless, and then
blaming myself for whatever went wrong.
 
Don't do that to yourself, Kevin.  You did the best you could, and all the
while, loved them as you always have.  I don't believe for one minute you
caused any of this to happen.  I know I didn't!  You need to feel your
losses, for they are real.  Let the babies you have left hug and kiss you,
bring you comfort like they do.  And you will comfort them in that process
also.  They still need you Kevin.  And I'm sure you need them too.
 
I went and visited your webpage, and cried at what I read there.  the story
about Zeus is beyond words!  Only a person whose heart has the capacity to
feel deep love couldve written that touching story.  I for one am glad to
get to know you, kevin, in such a special way, being a fuzzie lover myself,
knowing there is such a special love that forms between them and their
hoomans!
 
I wish you the best, and hope that your tears and pain are soon replaced
with your warm, loving memories, where your family will live with you until
you are reunited at rainbow bridge.... Peace to you and yours, kevin
 
hugs,
vicki
[Posted in FML issue 2904]