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Post by Alliemegan on Apr 3, 2009 1:43:36 GMT -5
Thanks Heather. I just can't sleep so I might as well just watch over Poley and give him some strained chicken every couple of hours. We left all the ferts running free in the house but Poley's pretty weak and had been sleeping most of the evening. But it looks like he actually got out of bed, make it to his poopie spot and back... mostly (his backside was hanging on the edge) There's a decent pile of dark green seedy poop and a nice big pee... and he actually ate a little soupy from a spoon by himself. I hope that means he's not giving up yet and the soupy is actually helping him keep his strength up...
We're just going to run him and Gadget to the vet first thing in the morning. It's Dr. Mike's day off but he'd made exceptions for our little ones before. I'm trying to stay positive and get the little guy over this hump and onto recovery. Thanks for thinking of us. Poley really appreciates your hugs and kisses! Talk to you soon
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Post by Heather on Apr 3, 2009 23:48:58 GMT -5
Good luck, try and get some sleep (I know it's difficult, I've been there) I will check in tomorrow night and see how your visit went. ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Apr 4, 2009 0:43:43 GMT -5
Poley's bloodwork came back and the news was devastating. His hematocrit was just over 10 (normal should be over 30) and his liver enzyme was way high. All signs point to lymphoma. He was starting to refuse syring feeding... we had a long chat with Dr. Mike and transfusion was our very last resort to get him strong enough for further treatment. We picked Gadget to be the donor coz he's a large healthy boy and we're reassured that there's minimal risk to him. We can never thank Gadget enough for this.
Unfortunately, Poley's hematocrit had apparently dropped since we drew blood for the test yesterday. Even with the transfusion, today his hematocrit is still only 10.... which is devastating new to us. we started him on pred, kept up with the syring feeding and hope for the best. But unless there's a miracle, I don't know if my little guy can hold out much longer.... I'm not ready to say goodbye yet but with the transfusion not working out a well as we'd hope, our last hope to help him is fading fast. It's really up to my Poley bear now...
Will keep you updated....
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Post by Alliemegan on Apr 4, 2009 10:52:44 GMT -5
Got a call from Dr. Mike this morning. He came up with a new plan to give Poley Eprex to stimulate his RBC production in the bone marrow. Maybe that will help the little guy. Poley is putting up a terrible fight when we try to give him pred. We kind of forgot how terrible it tastes. Merry was doing the same gagging and spitting at the beginning, but over time, he actually LOVES pred! We have it compounded in ferretone and Merry would coming running when he sees the syring. Do you have any trick with administering pred? I think you mentioned Aremis was having a hard time with it too... Just now Hubby was screaming for me and I thought something happened to Poley... well, it did. The little guy trucked himself over to the food bowl and he was eating kibbles! I can't believe it see how terrible he looked last night. Looks like he might be responding to the pred. Now we really need to find a way to get it into him. Will let you know a little later how things go with the Eprex. Take care
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Post by Heather on Apr 4, 2009 14:29:41 GMT -5
We've got all fingers, toes and paws crossed. You go Mr Poley we're sending all the healing energy we can find here. I really wish I could offer you some kind of idea on how to get pred into the little sod. Aremis hated it, we went from kiddy stuff (bubblegum or some sort of crap) to chicken flavoured he hated it. I always made sure there was plenty of food in his tummy (very hard stuff on the stomach). At least Aremis took it reasonably well (had to be syringe fed and scruffed and he gagged and spat), Porthos used to pee himself so I got that I would administer his drugs while holding him over the toilet. You know as much as I hate pred as a drug, it is truly a lifesaver. I've found that if there's going to be any response it usually happens within 24 hrs. and it can be quite amazing. The dying fert suddenly getting up and playing and eating..... I'm so glad to hear that Mr Poley is attempting to eat on his own. Keep me posted. Take care. ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Apr 5, 2009 10:26:58 GMT -5
Poley got a double dose of Eprex yesterday and had been holding steady. Still pretty weak and sleeping most of the time. We are supplementing his feeding every 4 hours and he had been moving around the cage when we're not looking (we left him in the hammy and find him in the upper level bed at the next feeding, curling up with his brothers) He's still taking his favorite T/D kibbles from me (I only gave him one piece, don't want him to fill up on t/d and not eat his chicken. I cut it in half, in case he's not strong enough to crunch through it) Hopefully that mean he's not giving up yet.
Dr. Mike thinks that it wasn't so much the transfusion didn't take, it's more of the fact that Poley is such a big guy, the largest amount of blood we could safely take from Gadget is still not enough to make a difference when he's so severely anemic. Apparently, sometimes ferrets with advanced adrenal disease develop bone marrow suppression and they become anemic. We're hoping that's the case in Poley, and the Eprex should help him over this hump.
I agree, pred is a miracle and a curse. It did wonders for Merry's insulinoma and the little guy actually grew to like the stuff. I hope it's going to be a life saver for Poley too. At least it's not expensive but the distress it causes the guys while adminstering it still makes me cringe...
I think Tassy might be getting a little depressed in the last couple of days. He's not playing as much and speed bumping a lot. I guess he's worry about his brother too. Fortunately he's still eating okay, but we'll have to keep an eye on him.
Gotta pop by work and make up for some lost time. Will keep you posted!
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Post by Heather on Apr 5, 2009 13:13:15 GMT -5
I'm glad that Poley is still holding his own. Could some of Randy's guys help you out in the transfussion dept? I don't know if she allows her rescues to donate blood or not, but she might? It's worth a try. If I lived closer I would bring in a couple of my guys. I know they'd love to help out a brother Keep a close eye on Tassy, give him lots of hugs and snuggles. He knows something's wrong and knows you're worried. They're sensitive little guys, our little fuzzbutts. Keep me posted, I will check in with you tonight. ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Apr 6, 2009 8:10:18 GMT -5
Thanks for offering your fuzzies as blood donors for Poley. Poley and I both really appreciate your generosity. We also volunteered Tassy as a donor but Dr. Mike said it's best not to mix blood from different donors. We can't even give Gadget's blood to him a second time. Something to do with their immune responses....
Poley is not as active as yesterday. Didn't really get up to eat any kibbles but he's still taking syringe feeding. Still gagging and spitting at pred time. We put him in a carrier and took him outside for a short walk. I think he likes the sun on his face and the fresh air in his lungs. He actually poked his head out of the carrier and looked around.
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I never got around to finish the last message. Poley ran into trouble breathing last night. We ran him to emergency knowing that this is our last trip. We had him put to sleep, in our arms, hopefully feeing safe and loved. He's such a great ferret and a tough little boy. Despite of all the things he'd been through, he's always a gentle and loving boy. I'll always remember his cute little face looking up at me, begging for a t/d. I can almost hear the tiny tank running down the hallway with his heavy footsteps, like a one ferret stampede. And he always makes me laugh when he goes under the cage and climbs the bars upside down. We call him the Spider-fert.
I just wanna thank you for thinking of Poley all the time and all the helpful advice you have. But most of all thanks for all the healing thoughts from you and the fuzzies. I'm sure Poley knows that we're all rooting for him. And I think he had fun on his last day (maybe not the part when we had to give him pred).
I should get to work. talk to you later.
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Post by Heather on Apr 6, 2009 23:34:02 GMT -5
No, Ohhhh Mr Poley . You fought such a good fight, I'm sorry that you got tired and could no longer walk in this time. I will light your travelling candle. Run free, gentle one. Soft little paws moving at first slowly and then more swiftly as vitality and strength returns to your lithe little body. A gentle breeze ruffles your soft fur...yes you have a beautiful fur coat, that glistens and glows in the warm morning sun. Little faces watch you from under low bushes, and leaves. Soft rustling noises, and gentle dooking as those that have travelled before move out to greet you. You are invited to play, run and wrestle. Dooking you once again practice the weasel war dances of old, you sleep in dappled shade in aromatic soils that are not only fun to dig in but wonderful to curl up and sleep in. In sleep you dream, remembering gentle touches and sweet kisses of your people....you miss them and know that they too, miss you, your comfort is that you know, with a knowledge that is as deep as the earth you play in and as old as time that you will once again be held by them....when the time is right for you once again to walk side by side and snuggle in the arms that have held you, cared for you and loved you. I will also light a healing candle for you. May your tears soon become sweet smiles, when you remember your sweet, gentle little boy. Your little boy with the thundering feet. Goodbye, Mr Poley....I miss you too . ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Apr 7, 2009 1:38:29 GMT -5
Thanks, Heather, for the beautiful send off for Poley. I'm sure he has a safe journey to the Rainbow Bridge, with his brother and sisters and all the creatures crossed before him as guides. We promised him we'll see each other again, and we'll pick up where we left off. In the mean time, he and his siblings will take care of each other, play and eat and make lots of new friends.... but truthfully, I'm just selfish and don't want to wait. I'd rather have him here with me, no pain, no illness. But that's not possible... Doesn't matter how many fuzzies of mine crossed over to the Bridge, it's never easy. But it's their happy dispositions, their optimistic attitude toward life that make them the pure joy that they are. It's worth the heartbreak to share my life with these amazing creatures.
I think I'll sit with my candle, and think of Poley. ciao
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Post by Heather on Apr 8, 2009 0:01:10 GMT -5
I so know where you're coming from. I've kissed so many little noses goodbye . I miss all of them, each one leaves with a piece of my heart. I've also found that working so close with all of you means that I get attached of these little ones too. I thank every day that I have had the privilege of having had the company of such wonderful little creatures. Know that in your heart that Mr Poley would not want you to grieve for him but to remember him with a smile, as these little ones are creatures of joy and happiness. Let me know when you're ready to start working toward your raw feeding goals again I will be here ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Apr 20, 2009 3:12:04 GMT -5
HI Heather, we're back! It'd been a tough few weeks for us. We still miss Poley terribly and for a while we're a bit worried about the boys. We made sure they get lots of cuddles and left their bedding unwashed. They seem to be doing fine these days, eating well and playing. Merry in particular had developed a taste for pork. He eats really well when we mix ground pork in with his usual chicken. Tassy is still a bit fuzzy so we just gradually sneaked pork in. Took the kids out for some sun and fresh air this weekend. They're playing on the jungle gym and loved it! Merry was a bit freaked out by the wide open space at first but he came out of his shell before you know it Gadget had a really great time too When it was time to go home, Tassy kept trying to bust out of the carrier.. It's kinda hard for me to come back on to the forum, seeing all the old posts about Poley. Just makes me miss him like crazy. But I know I gotta move on and focus on the rest of the boys. Keeping them thriving is the best tribite to my Poley bear. Just wanna say "hi, we're still here" and give you an update on the kids. We're holding steady on the ground chicken diet. I guess we'll try out luck with chunkier meat again soon. We'd finally found a house and it was a crazy week to get everything done last week. I'm working to get everyone back on a better routine so we can try new food again and get the boys closer to graduation Talk to you soon!
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Post by Heather on Apr 20, 2009 12:37:17 GMT -5
I"m so glad to see you back. I was worried. I know what it's like when you loose one that you've worked so hard to keep. It leaves a vaccuum and you wonder how to fill that hole. I'm glad to hear that your guys handled Mr Poley's passing fairly well. I think sometimes when it takes awhile that they know and are better prepared than we are. How many types of proteins are your guys eating? Create a menu for a week and let's have a look at what your guys are eating and see if we can figure if they're missing anything. I looks like they had a blast playing outside. I love the pic of Tassy trying to get out of the knapsack. They're adorable. Great news about the house. Good luck, I hope you get it. I will check in to see if you pop in later. It's good to see you back ciao
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Post by Alliemegan on Apr 21, 2009 7:43:10 GMT -5
Hmmm... a menu for the boys.... I haven't thought of that before. That's actually a brilliant idea. Right now their staple is ground up drumsticks with hearts, liver and pumpkin. It seems to be a good balance of meat, bones and offals. We freeze them into pucks and thaw as we need them. Recently we mixed in ground pork with the chicken for 1 meal a day. Merry and Gadget quite enjoy that, while Tassy is always a bit fuzzy. We find that if we sneak a different meat in with the chicken they'd usually take it. I think we're going to get some beef this weekend and see how they like it. We'd tried lamb in the begining and that was a bit too rich for their liking. But now that they're more used to raw, it might worth a try again. We noticed Tassy really likes to chew on his toys and beddings, but we couldn't get him to chew on a chicken bone... what gives?? Gadget and Merry just don't seem to get the idea that it might be nice for them to use their toothies once in a while to chew their own food.... Oops! Gotta get to work... forgot the time when I'm blabbing about the ferts. To be continued...
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Post by Heather on Apr 21, 2009 15:18:17 GMT -5
I don't know what the chewing on toys and bedding is for them but I have discovered (at least with Calypso) that they stop doing this once they start eating whole meats and bones. Calypso is now eating prey and she's basically stopped her suicidal search for things inedible to eat or I should say chew on. Your idea of gently introducing them to other meats is really a great idea. I like that. Even if they won't eat it on it's own they can at least get the benefit of eating a different protein source. Good stuff. I will check in again with you later and see if you popped in. ciao
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