I had a very ill ferret who needed to be helped over the bridge. It was after hours and we had to use the emergency clinic. We had used this clinic in the past they do not allow people back with their ferret when they do this. The clinic had changed administration but I just happened to ask about how they do the euthanasia (I thought already knew but for some reason asked anyway). With the new administration they had changed how they do Euthanasia. They used to put the ferret to sleep with anesthesia then do a heart stick, now they just did the heart stick. I couldn't believe it, I made sure we that was all they did and then told them they were not touching my friend. We drove over an hour to get to another (very expensive clinic) that had a 24 hour ferret vet and would help our ferret over the bridge humanely. I could not and would not allow the last minutes of my ferret's life to be an attack where they were held down while they stabbed his heart. We complained to our vet about this clinic and he said he knew the vet who ran it and he would talk to him and he was sure he would make the appropriate changes. Even if they did I will never ever take a ferret or any animal to that clinic again. I'd rather drive over an hour to get to a clinic that I know will take good care of my ferrets. I have never seen the belly stick and I will as my vet about it. We have several older ferrets 2 at 7+, 2 at 6+ and one at about 5 so I know its just a matter of time before we are faced with losing one of our ferrets again and I want to be prepared. I believe when it comes to helping ferrets over the bridge the most peaceful way for the ferret is the best, and the belly shot seems like the best to me. Have a nice day Mike [Posted in FML 7371]