I want to take a moment and thank Gary for his help with my Odie.  I got the
package of Timmy's Tonic and all the extras the next day.  Thank you Gary
for taking the time to speak to me on the phone.  Also I would like to say
thank you to Lisa (Head Ferret) of Feret Haven, the poem was beautiful and
says it all.
 
Odie's blood test results came back late Friday (2/13) evening.  The results
confirmed what his doctor has suspected, Liver Disease, and a possible tumor
on his pancreas.
 
The numbers for the test are as follows:
 
           Odie's  Norms.
Glucose     36      95 - 200
BUN         36      10 - 45
Creatinine    .9      .4 - .9
Protein      5       ?
ALT       1816     200
AST        268      20 - 130
Calcium      8       8 - 12
 
Before this happened I really had no idea what the liver does for a body.
Our vet told us one of its functions is to produce clotting enzymes, the
body pops little pins holes all the time in the blood vessels and it is up
to the liver to plug these holes.  Because Odie's liver was not functioning
properly the holes were not being plugged.  He had small red spots on his
entire body.
 
For the last 24 + hours we had to wash his bum every time he went potty,
Odie had lost control of his bowels, we also had to gently push him rectum
back in.  My little boy was in pain and the only thing I could do to help
ease some of his pain and discomfort was to apply a little Karo Syrup to his
gums for the low glucose.
 
For the last 24+ hours of his life Odie was held and rocked like a baby
(without a rocking chair).  He was cuddled up in his favorite flannel
pillowcase and held very close.  His daddy stayed up all night holding,
kissing, and hugging him.  Odie knew he was/is very much loved, and will be
greatly missed.
 
Very early this morning Odie wanted down on the floor there was no changing
his mind, I helped him to the floor as his legs had stopped co-operating
with him.  He dragged himself under my bed and cuddled up with his brothers
and sisters.  They all (5) huddled very close to him and kept him warm, I
believe they knew their time with Odie was very limited.  As I lay on the
floor and watched they all took turns giving him kisses, they were saying
good-bye to the protector of the food dish.
 
At 9:10am (ET) Odie took his last breath, his pain was gone, and he was
finally at peace.  I have requested that his organs and tissue be sent to
Dr. Williams so that he may document Odie's problem and possibly in his
death, Odie will be able to help another ferret in need.  We will be able
to bring his body home on Monday.  He will be buried in the back yard of
Scott's parents' house, right next to his beloved childhood friends, his
hamsters.
 
This was one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make, we wanted
Odie to die with dignity.  My children (13 & 14) are beside themselves with
grief.  Unfortunately it takes the death of a loved one for us all to
remember how truly precious life is.
 
We love you Odie, thank you for the honor of sharing our lives with you.
 
Marci, Scott, Shanta & Drew
& The Ferret Brigade
 
==
 
The Ferret Brigade
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http://members.tripod.com/~Ferret_Luv
[Posted in FML issue 2218]