Managing elderly and terminally ill ferrets in their last stages, or even
terminally ill ones in their last stages is so different from other
medical care.
 
Earlier in an illness you are trying for time and quality of life.
Sometimes that means that a procedure like a major surgery is used
because a week or two healing means years of good and healthy life.
 
When you have one for whom pretty well everything has been done then
you alter your approach.
 
Warp is such an individual; she is an 8 year old MF albino ferret with
several things gone wrong.  She stresses easily (was an abuse victim in
her kithood) has a friable small intestine, advanced insulinoma, R adrenal
growth, possibly/probably lymphoma, and now she is due on Tuesday for a
chest x-ray and new bloodwork, particularly blood glucose level test: to
see if she has also added cardiomyopathy due to starting to get mild
ascites, and to monitor her blood glucose and possibly some other health
aspects if she up to giving enough blood.  The receptionist was a little
startled to hear that she would have her x-rays without anesthesia even
if meant that I'd be calming her, but anesthesia doesn't agree well with
Warpie.
 
Warp's meds include: Lupron, Pred (which is at a very high level to give
her comfort, Proglycem, and she gets added sugar because her insulinoma
is beyond a point where the meds are enough.  Last night ***Torb*** was
added for pain control because she had begun to whimper, especially in
her sleep or when examined.  Last night she (and we) got a decent night's
sleep due to her improved comfort, and right now she is running around
happily..
 
I know that there are those who would think that she "just" should be
given a mercy shot or that a mercy shot at this point would be kindness,
but she still mostly enjoys life which is not something anyone could see
long-distance, still initiates mild wrestling bouts with Sherman, still
explores, still kisses, still interacts with the other ferrets, us, and
her vet whom she adores.  SHE is not ready to give up, yet, so we aren't
going to rush her but want to give her as much comfort as possible.
 
A veterinary oncologist has recommended trying ***Ovaband*** on her so
that will start soon.  Raising blood sugar is normally considered one of
its bad possible side effects but for her it would not be bad.  ***The
vet oncologist said that there is some talk going on about Lupron not
always being very effective in the old-elderly which is what 8 starts to
be (as opposed to the early-elderly) and that this may therefore control
some adrenal-related symptoms which currently decrease her comfort level
but which Lupron no longer tackles.*** Her Ovaband will start daily and
then go every three days.
 
Depending on how she is on Tuesday and what the chest x-ray, exam and
tests show she may also get Lasix to attempt to reduce her ascites and
add more comfort that way.
 
It is possible that with her pain and these symptoms controlled *IF* this
protocol works that she may have as long as a month of quality time ahead
of her.  All of us were pretty shocked -- very happily so -- to hear that
number.  Recently, we have been figuring in terms of days to maybe a
couple of weeks left in her, so it will be great if she gets a good month
more.  She might still be gone this month, but maybe not... It is up to
her ultimately.
[Posted in FML issue 3814]