Hello all,
 
I have posted before about Timmy.  I adopted him about 6 months ago.  He
had undiagnosed and untreated insulinoma.I do not know exactly how old
he is or for how long he had,had the insulinoma.  The fact that he was
suffering from it when he came to me is clear.
 
I began treating him when I discovered he was ill.  He is on the usual
diet and meds.  I have tryed adjusting dosages and feeding him more.
etc. etc.  I am told he is a poor surgical candidate.I have gotten
second opinions.
 
He is ( and has been since he came to me) wasted and frail .  He falls a
lot and his hind quarters are very weak.His back toes buckle in when he
trys to walk.
 
He sleeps 24 /7 .  I wake him up for meds and food then he wants to go
back to sleep right away.  No matter what I try to engage him in , he
wants to sleep.  I have tryed holding and cuddling him and he wants no
part of that.He crys and squeaks in his sleep.
 
He never plays, he never dooks ,he never frisks around, he has no
curiosity .  Most of the time when he is awake and out of the cage he
looks glazed over.  He just stands there looking dazed and then flattens
out.  I have tryed at times to give him a bit of glucose, if he looks
like he is going to crash, but it does not seem to help.  very much.
There have been times when he seemed very confused and he has bitten me
and drawn blood.
 
The last few weeks I know he is suffering.  I can see it.I keep him
comfortable and that is all I can do.
 
These days even when his brother comes near him to play he hisses and
bottle brushes.  As far as I can tell or anyone else can tell he is not
in pain in any body part.He just seems worn out all over.
 
He poops and pees normal.  He does get up occasionally to take a bite to
eat.He is eager to be hand fed and I do so when ever I can.  Even still
one or two dropper full and he just wants to go back to the hammock.
 
I believe in the sacredness of every life.  I believe in perserving that
life, but I wonder what sort of life Timmy has.  If his life is one of
misery, and it seems that is increasingly so every day... what then?
 
He only sleeps and he seems confused and in discomfort..he seems
depressed.
 
Honestly it seems that Timmy has no quality of life on any level that I
can understand.  I have tryed everything i can to change this.
 
I have had ferrets that were clearly in pain or ( end stage ) terminally
ill and it was ""time".  It was clear that it was time.
 
Now I wonder what do do about Timmy.  Too see him this way is
heartbreaking.  His prognosis for anything better is very dim.  I can
just leave it be and let him sleep 24/7 and wake him up to feed him and
take meds.  That would be it, that would be Timmys life.It is all the
worse becasue i see the others playing and doing what ferrets do best...
but there is Timmy glazed and flat or asleep.
 
I would like to hear the thoughts of others.  What would you do in such a
situation?  I know this is a very debatable topic but I would like to
hear your thoughts on the subject..  it may give me some more
perspective.
 
Is it fair to keep Timmy maintained with no quality of life at all and in
discomfort.?
 
Than you for reading this long letter.
 
Dooks,
christine
[Posted in FML issue 4096]