Vibes for Mr.Sweaters?

JessLough

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#1
Last night, my friend came online and asked me if she should be concerned that her 8-9 month old ferret lost a ton of weight. I told her no, he was just losing his baby pudge.

5 minutes later, she came on and showed me a picture, asking if I have had experience with swollen lymph nodes.

This made me go "Oh sht, lymphosarcoma". The thing is... he is 8-9 months old. Lymphoma is something that happens to ferrets over 4 years old, it is rare it happens in ferrets that are 2 years old (called juvenile lymphoma). When she first told me... he was dooking and wardancing around, eating perfectly fine. 10 minutes later, he couldn't eat hard food. Lymphosarcoma in ferrets that are 2 years old goes FAST... younger=faster. This ferret is 8-9 MONTHS. She just rescued him 5 months ago. He has not yet seen his first birthday. His life is just beginning. Last night, I had to tell my friend that her ferret will likely be dead by the end of the month.

She took him to the vet today. Most likely confirmed lymphoma. It could also be a) a tumor (which is not any better, it means cancer) or b) an absess (also not good... as it is VERY hard and will not be able to be aspirated unless it magically goes soft overnight). The vet is VERY MUCH leaning towards Lymphoma, and doubts it is anything else.

She took him home tonight. Tomorrow at 6am, he will be gone to the vet to be sedated, to try and aspirate to see if it is a soft absess. Surgery is not an option. It is too close to his windpipe, and if she COULD do it, his chance of survival would only be 2%. It is very likely that tomorrow, my friend will be leaving the vet office minus a ferret.

I am holding my ferrets that much closer tonight. They are all getting extra snuggles and kisses. 2 days ago, there was NOTHING wrong with this ferret. Tomorrow, he may be dead. All I keep thinking is "**** you Marshalls. **** you."

Can I have any vibes to help my friend stay strong? Make his passing easy, if that is the way it needs to go. Vibes if it will magically become a soft absess would be superb, but neither of us have high hopes. Vibes for her other ferret, Mushu, to be alright would be much appreciated, too. We are not sure how he will do as a single.

I told her to ask about Prednisone. It may only buy him a week, but it is a week with him she would not otherwise have. I know how heartbreaking it is for your ferret to be fine one day, and at deaths doorstep the next.
 

Brattina88

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#2
:( Oh, do I understand that too well... I couldn't think of anything to write, then I realized I was crying after I read your post! So, so sad..... poor baby.
My thoughts are with Mr. Sweaters and his momma. Let me know if there's anything I can do.
Words just seem so worthless to me at times like this - but I fail at words on a good day, so maybe that's why.

((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))) to you as well, seems like your the supportive friend in this(similar) situation all to often..<3
 

JessLough

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#3
Thanks <3
I was thinking last night, that I hate to be the one people go to for medical stuff. Then I realized, no I don't, I just hate when it is bad and I am right.
I've been crying since I got the confirmation that it is not good either way. I want to talk to her, but she is offline....but then again, there is nothing I can say if she were offline.
 

Brattina88

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#4
You don't have to say anything. At least, you didn't with me.... Just being there helped tons and tons <3 and talking it through

Off to go sob, now... :p
 

JessLough

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#6
She brought Mr. Sweaters home for one more night of playing with Mushu and all things every ferret should have.

She will be helping him cross to Rainbow Bridge tomorrow around noon.
 

Labyrinth

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#9
That's so sad :(

Ferrets are just so heartbreaking. My oldest ferret (who only just turned 3) already has a little hair thinning going on. I'm hoping it's just my imagination so I'm keeping an eye on it for now, but it's the same age that Munky (RIP) became adrenal as well so it wouldn't surprise me. Thankfully adrenal seems to be one of the least devastating of the chronic illnesses that seem to plague them, so I know he'll still be around for a few more years unless something else pops up too (which it has with every other single one of my ferrets that was adrenal).

After my current two pass on I'm done for a while. I just can't take it anymore.
 

Jare

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#10
I know this is now a few months old, but I am Sweaters' mammy. :(


Here he is.



 

Dakotah

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#11
Oh goodness... (((HUGS))) I am crying for Mr. Sweaters, as I did when Jess posted about Rascal.

RIP Mr Sweaters. He was so handsome and had such a unique name.
 

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