Post by joclyn on Apr 6, 2011 14:39:41 GMT -5
{{{kendra}}}} i am SO sorry that sprite is gone 
that was not what i was expecting you to post when you updated
ditto what dingo said!!!
the ferrets for dummies is a fabulous resource!! and yes, i do still pull it out and read through sections - even after all these years!!
sigh
i'm dealing with loss myself and have two fuzzies who are as well and not taking it well at all - and a couple others too, although, they weren't in the same cage, so, thier bonds weren't as strong - still, i am seeing reactions from just about everyone.
were you able to allow razzle to say goodbye to sprite? if so, then that's one of the best ways to help them - they can see for themselves that the other one is gone and hasn't just 'disappeared' and that does seem to make the grieving process a bit easier. sometimes, though, that doesn't matter (i experienced one grieve herself to death over losing her buddy and that is something i hope no one ever has to experience as it's absolutely heartbreaking).
definitely give razzle extra attention for the next few weeks. monitor food & water intake and weigh her - now and again in 7-10 days and again in another 7-10 days. even tho they eat, they may still lose weight and being stressed can bring on medical conditions that are lurking in the background...prime for razzle would be insulinoma as well as ulcers as she's been right there during the time sprite was sick, so, would obviously be upset. also monitor behaviour - keep an eye out for sleeping too much, general blahness/not wanting to play, ulcer signs like grinding teeth and excessive licking the chops. also look at the stool - keep track of changes and how long they aren't as normal...and if they get all that bad, she may need to see the vet & maybe get on antibiotics if an infection develops.
so, extra attention, monitor food/water intake, monitor stool/urine output, monitor behaviour. give lots of love & kisses - that will help both you AND her!!
adopting another one is also something to consider - i would give it a couple weeks before you decide on that though. both you and she need to get through at least the beginning parts of the grieving process before bringing another one into the house.
back to my situation. chauncey and grizel have taken taco's passing very hard. they aren't eating/drinking as normal, don't want to play, sleep a ton more, don't want to be bothered with me or any of the other fuzzies that i can put them out for playtime with.
even though i gave them time to say goodbye, since taco had been at the vets and was coldcold (from being in freezer; not just from having passed) it may not have been as effective for them since he was too far from being himself and im sure really didn't smell like himself after being in refridgeration.
so, i've been giving extra one-on-one time to each and have been bringing them to work with me (luckily i can do that) so they are with me all day and get a change of scenery. it's done some bit of good - they're still not out of the woods yet, though.
there is a product called 'rescue remedy' by bach's that some use to assist the ones left behind to adjust to the loss. i don't have any of it and don't know much about it - basically you put a drop or two on their paw pads and nose/under nose and it helps to keep them calm and relieves stress. it can also be added to their water, too.
i think i'm going to get some for chauncey & grizel...it's not gonna hurt them and may help, so, worth tracking it down and getting it.
that was not what i was expecting you to post when you updated
ditto what dingo said!!!
the ferrets for dummies is a fabulous resource!! and yes, i do still pull it out and read through sections - even after all these years!!
sigh
i'm dealing with loss myself and have two fuzzies who are as well and not taking it well at all - and a couple others too, although, they weren't in the same cage, so, thier bonds weren't as strong - still, i am seeing reactions from just about everyone.
were you able to allow razzle to say goodbye to sprite? if so, then that's one of the best ways to help them - they can see for themselves that the other one is gone and hasn't just 'disappeared' and that does seem to make the grieving process a bit easier. sometimes, though, that doesn't matter (i experienced one grieve herself to death over losing her buddy and that is something i hope no one ever has to experience as it's absolutely heartbreaking).
definitely give razzle extra attention for the next few weeks. monitor food & water intake and weigh her - now and again in 7-10 days and again in another 7-10 days. even tho they eat, they may still lose weight and being stressed can bring on medical conditions that are lurking in the background...prime for razzle would be insulinoma as well as ulcers as she's been right there during the time sprite was sick, so, would obviously be upset. also monitor behaviour - keep an eye out for sleeping too much, general blahness/not wanting to play, ulcer signs like grinding teeth and excessive licking the chops. also look at the stool - keep track of changes and how long they aren't as normal...and if they get all that bad, she may need to see the vet & maybe get on antibiotics if an infection develops.
so, extra attention, monitor food/water intake, monitor stool/urine output, monitor behaviour. give lots of love & kisses - that will help both you AND her!!
adopting another one is also something to consider - i would give it a couple weeks before you decide on that though. both you and she need to get through at least the beginning parts of the grieving process before bringing another one into the house.
back to my situation. chauncey and grizel have taken taco's passing very hard. they aren't eating/drinking as normal, don't want to play, sleep a ton more, don't want to be bothered with me or any of the other fuzzies that i can put them out for playtime with.
even though i gave them time to say goodbye, since taco had been at the vets and was coldcold (from being in freezer; not just from having passed) it may not have been as effective for them since he was too far from being himself and im sure really didn't smell like himself after being in refridgeration.
so, i've been giving extra one-on-one time to each and have been bringing them to work with me (luckily i can do that) so they are with me all day and get a change of scenery. it's done some bit of good - they're still not out of the woods yet, though.
there is a product called 'rescue remedy' by bach's that some use to assist the ones left behind to adjust to the loss. i don't have any of it and don't know much about it - basically you put a drop or two on their paw pads and nose/under nose and it helps to keep them calm and relieves stress. it can also be added to their water, too.
i think i'm going to get some for chauncey & grizel...it's not gonna hurt them and may help, so, worth tracking it down and getting it.
all my kids are doing well otter is getting real beefy feeling <winter weight?> and his coat is getting real soft not many noticeable changes overall,, new guy is getting big
Daxy is SO happy the weather is cooling off! He doesn't like the AC - it limits him to one room but when I let him go other places, he just flat ferrets cause it's too hote