Ferrets are wonderful little guys, but their life span is short. Around the age of seven to ten years, these perpetual toddlers slow down, get sick, and pass on. I've had a lot of ferrets, many of whom have passed on. Since my daughter and I tend to pick up older ferrets from the shelter, we've spent a lot of time doing hospice care. How do you care for your elderly ferret?
Think about the bridge
The ferret community talks about a beautiful bridge where our animals go and wait for us after they die. They play and have fun at the bridge until their humans come, and then the entire family crosses together. Whether you believe in souls or not, whether you believe in an after life or not, it can help to think "maybe there's a bridge." After a ferret dies, my daughter usually says to me, "Mommy, I hope there really is a rainbow bridge." I don't believe in the bridge, but I sure do like to pretend that I do. It's kind of like pretending Santa Claus exists, and it can help while you adjust.
Love your friend while he's still here
My current hospice fellow is Mortimer. He doesn't like other ferrets, so he lives in a cage next to my desk. When he wakes up, he'll glance at me and give me that "I want out" look. I let him out and he wonders around the house for a bit. I've built some "love pouches" for him. These are basically sewn together rectangles with a strap. I hang the "love pouch" around my neck and put Morty inside. He likes to walk around with me to see and smell things. He likes to sleep near my heartbeat. And, he tries to jump out of the pouch when he's done.
Make sure your buddy gets food
Teeth tend to wear out as we age. Can your ferret still eat kibble? (Well, that's assuming you feed your ferrets kibble.) If he has trouble eating, or loses weight, try feeding him duck soup. Duck soup is a generic term for any customized food that's easier to eat. Duck soup could be softened kibble, pureed chicken, or any number of special recipes.
Watch your buddy and recognize when it's time
I've been "lucky" with some ferrets, and haven't had to make any decisions regarding the end of their life. Sonia Rose, for instance, ate happily and wondered the house until the night before she died. She had a stroke, and was gone. I say I'm "lucky" because I don't think she suffered long and I didn't have to suffer making a decision I didn't want to make.
Other times I have not been so "lucky." When Moe's stool turned tar-like, I knew his tumor had taken its toll, and I had to take him in to the doctor. It was obvious to me that he was in pain.
Watch your friend and consider these things.
- Can he still eat? Does he want to eat?
- Can he still move about?
- Does he want to interact with the world?
- Does he look like he's in pain?
No one can identify the right time. No one wants their pet to go too soon and no one wants their pet to live in pain. Just do the best you can.
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