My Noel

[Boxer_21]

Late last night I noticed that Noel (one of my 3 ferrets) wasn't feeling very well. She was stumbling trying to walk and was weak on her hind legs. I've had this happen before with my ferrets so I just figured maybe she slept wrong or just hurt herself playing. I decided to wait and see how she looked this morning before calling an emergency vet. In the meantime I rearranged their cage so she'd have easy access to the food and water without having to climb through the tubes and everything.

This morning came and my other two ferrets came out of their cage all happy and playful, but Noel wasn't moving. When I took her out of the cage, she laid on the floor and looked very disoriented and just stared off into space. So, I immediately called the vet and set up an appointment to have her checked out today @ 9am.

When I got there, the vet (who specializes in ferrets) gave me a few different scenarios, but said the only way to be sure is to run some tests. Of course I told him to do whatever he had to. When the tests came back, he found out that Noel had kidney failure. Ferrets are supposed to range around 25 on this certain test and Noel's came back as a 146. He told me that we could try to treat it, but even treating it as aggressively as we possibly could the chances of her coming around were very slim and then he recommended euthanizing her.

So, at about 10am today I had to make the most difficult decision I ever had to make. I just couldn't see pumping her body full of medication in an attempt to get her healthy again especially when he said it was very slim that she'd be able to come around. So, I decided to let her go where she would be pain free. I stayed with her until the end and will have her cremated so she can come home where she belongs.

I know that I did the right thing for her, but I just can't believe how quickly things went downhill. Tuesday she was fine and happy, all of a sudden yesterday she was a wreck. She will be missed....

Noel
11/22/99 - 9/2/04

[ssleighter]

Godspeed Noel! I am sure there's lots of ferret friends waiting for you at the bridge.

[ljnash]

I'm so sorry about Noel. It's amazing how fast small ones can go downhill. I've never had ferrets, but I had a parakeet that got sick very fast like that.

Godspeed Noel

[MyGirlHeidi]

Sorry to hear about Noel. Endings are so hard when they are not expected. When my ferret got sick and passed I cried at the vets like a baby. I told the vet I was sorry for crying and he said it's not the one's who cry that we mind it's the ones who don't. You did the right thing and I hope you feel better soon.

[myrocky]

Mandy I'm so sorry for your loss. Kidney disease can be so devestating to everyone involved. You did do the right thing and Noel is at the bridge pain free playing away. I'll keep you in my thoughts today.

[Poetic_thing]

Noel is at peace and knows you made the right decision for her, trying to get her body back to normal would have been so hard on her. I'm sorry for your loss Mandy, Kidney Disease is a tough one to fight - you did right by Noel! Take care.

[Ali_Crazy]

I'm so sorry to hear about Noel, Mandy. I know it much have be a difficult decision to make, but ou did the right thing and now she is pain free. Godspeed Noel.

[clara's parents]

I'm very sorry about Noel but know that you did the right thing and she's no longer in pain.

[Linda/NJ]

Sorry to hear about Noel's passing.

[Cindy Creel]

I too am so very sorry to here about your furkid. I guess yesterday was not a very good day for us either. I am sooo sorry.

Cindy

[Austin's Mom]

Sorry to hear about Noel. No matter what breed of "furbaby" it is they still touch our hearts. I remember crying like a baby at the vet when I had to put my gerbil to sleep. God Speed, Noel.

[Mama_Zookeeper]

I am so sorry for your loss Mandy. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Godspeed Noel

Dora