Not such a good vet visit for Itty :-(

[greta]

My prayers were answered that I've been able to bring my little girl home with me, but she is much sicker than I had suspected. After the vet examined Itty, I asked for an ultrasound, as the vet found a tumor in my baby's abdomen. The tumor is peanut sized and peanut shaped and is on the pancreas. There are other smaller tumors in Itty's abdomen along with some fluid that has leaked there, too. The smaller tumors may be involving the lymph nodes, so Itty has both insulinoma and lymphoma. The vet also noticed some slight jaundice in both Itty's ears and her eyes, but the ultrasound showed the liver functioning normally. Did I mention there is a cyst on one of my baby's kidneys? The kidney in also functioning normally, though. So ... it doesn't present a very promising prognosis. I must prepare to say goodbye to my baby unless a miracle happens. At least this is what the vet said. I've been given a feeding syringe for force feeding Itty her soup, a med syringe to administer Itty her pred, and a bag of Ringer's Lactate with many large syringes and needles for the subQ treatments which I am to do 3 times a day. Itty is in no pain and still loves it when I cuddle her close to me for long periods to comfort her. So I'll keep up the hospice care for my little girl as long as God will let me. There's no sense in surgery. The vet said Itty would not survive surgery at this point in time anyway. We have another appointment for a follow up on Monday and I may be able to discontinue the subQ's then if my baby's fluid level is back to normal.

Ozzie has been so sweet. This morning I found him cuddled with Itty in her pocketed hammy that Auntie Robin made for her. Itty had had an accident and soiled the safety net, but Ozzie didn't let that stop him from comforting his sister. I know Ozzie is aware that Itty is sick. I closed her in our bedroom today to make sure I could find her when time to leave for the vet's. Ozzie stood at the door and kept looking at me, as he wanted to be let in to lay with his sister and keep her warm and comfort her again. My biggest job may soon be to find a companion for Ozzie so he won't suffer from a deep depression when our Itty leaves us.

Sorry this is so long, Folks. It does help to write, as it sorts out my thinking on the matter. I'll continue to keep you posted. Oh! Itty did rally a bit after I force fed her soup twice and gave her some pred and held her for over an hour while she slept in my arms. Thank you so much Everyone, for your prayers. Mommy GG

[huronna]

I'm really sorry to hear all this.
Odd isn't it, how one day our babies are so well and then suddenly we notice something is just not right. We always seem to know.

The is no advice we can give you as you know that comfort, care and love are the things that come natural to us when we know that time is closing in.

Oh how I wish these days would never happen. I am so sorry Greta

[suzie]

GReta my heart goes out to my dear......Things such as this seem to come on so darn quick and you want to do so much for them. It sounds like right now Itty is comfortable and really enjoying the love and one on one from her Mommie. Please keep us posted and updated. We send you and Itty and of course Ozzie our love and prayers.

[yukkabelle]

Greta I am so very sorry. I had the hope there will nothing to much important for Itty. My heart breaks with yours to know all the bad things she has inside her body. It is really unfair. I am glad she is not in pain, that is a very good point. I am also so proud of Ozzie to be a so wonderful big brother and gentleman with Itty.
Your precious little girl is in my thoughts and prayers as you Dear Greta
Sending all my love to you and your babies. Please keep us updated. Hugs, Yukka

[greta]

We see the vet again on Monday afternoon for a follow up visit. I'll be certain to keep all of you posted on Itty's progress. Btw, A few hours after I force fed Itty tonight and gave her a dose of pred, she became much more active than she was earlier in the day. Poor little Itty can take only a few steps though, and then she flops over on her side to rest. I'm hoping this will improve with her ongoing treatment. Hugs, Greta

[spacecadet71]

Sorry to hear it wasn't good news. (((((HUGS)))))))

[wanderinweasels]

It seems like lately all we've had around here is bad news. I was hoping for better news for little Itty. Hopefully after she is on the Pred a day or two she will have the energy to walk again without falling over. So just hold her in your arms and you and Ozzie give her all of the love you can. I'm praying for you all.

[ferratootsie]

OOOH Greta...my heart goes out to you....Itty has the same prognosis as my sweet, dearly departed Princess. The pred did buy me about a month's worth of some quality time. I hope you have more time than that and she stays pain free. I know you will give her all the love and comfort a ferret could ever want in their lifetime. You are in my thoughts & prayers.

[reanee]

Breaks my heart to hear about our Itty girl. Seems like only yesterday that Kathy and I brought her to you. I am so glad we did, because she knows nothing but love from her Mommy Greta.
Please give her a gentle kiss from me, and tell her how much she is loved by so many. I know you will do everything in your power to keep her comfy, until it is her time to go to the bridge. She is a very special little lady.

[greta]

God is giving me the strength to deal with this. Today my little girl showed marked improvement a few minutes after the two times I hydrated and force fed her. The first time Itty had her pred, too. A few minutes after her treatment Itty RAN under the couch for her nap, just the way she has always done. Ozzie was trotting side by side with his little sister and I swear, he was actually smiling! My first attempt at subQing my baby didn't go so well. After half her fluids had been injected, I began feeling it squirting on my hand with which I was scruffing Itty. The 2nd time the subQ went perfectly. Praise God. This is so new to me. I've never done a subQ before on any of my ferrets. I am force feeding my baby Gerber's 2nd stage chicken baby food mixed with pure cream. She loves this mixture more even than my soup.

Reanee, I want to email you Dear, about keeping an eye open for me for another ferret as a companion for Ozzie. He's going t be crushed when we have to say goodbye to our sweet little baby girl. Thank you everyone, for your prayers and for your concern. I'll continue to keep you posted. Loving hugs, Mommy GG

[reanee]

Greta, I just picked up some Nutra-Cal for ferrets. I added it to the baby food I give Chase and he liked it. I warm it up so it mixes easier, it is thick and gooy, and a bugger to give plain. You might think about getting some for Itty. It is a high calorie dietary supplement. Sub-quing is a scary thing at first, 'specialy if ya have a wiggly fert. Some of mine just fight it totaly, others lay nicely. I always, warm up the su-q in the syringe with warm water, before giving it.
If you have pedialye you can add that to the baby food also.

[yukkabelle]

You are so good dear Greta to do yourself the subQ. I imagine the vet showed to you how to do it ? Did the vet let you make one at the vet office before to go home with Itty ?
Itty is still in my thoughts and prayers as you. You are the best mommy that precious Itty can have. Hugs to you, Yukka.

[ferretzmom]

Greta --

We're totally stunned to read all that's going on inside of our beautiful little Itty girl. We were hoping for a small problem with an easy fix, but as we know, some things are out of our hands. We will continue our prayers for you and Itty. Please keep us posted on what's happening and what your vet has to say.

JulieAnn & Arlo

[greta]

Many thanks, Reanee, Yukka, JA and Arlo. Itty is doing so much better today. She has begun getting around without falling over to rest and even made her way into the kitchen to potty on the vinyl floor. I took up the puppy pad when Itty stopped using it there. Tonight I didn't have to force feed Itty ... she ate hungrily from the spoon as I held it for her. Reanee Dear, thank you for the tips about mixing the Nutri-Cal with the baby food and also the suggestion about the pedialyte. I have childrens' pedialyte popcicles and will thaw the rest of the one I've been using and add that to Itty's soup. I will also warm her meals and warm the sub@ before I administer it to Itty. Yukka, The vet did not have me attempt to subQ Itty at the clinic, but the tech showed me how it is done. Using medical needles is not new to me, as I was a medical assistant (for humans) and worked in both hospitals and a doctor's office for 8 or 9 years. However, due to my poor eyesight, I did manage to stick about an 8th of an inch of the subQ needle into my index finger tonight while I was filloing the subQ syringe. It hurt like the dickens and I hope poor Itty doesn't feel the same amount of pain when mommy has to stick her little girlie. JA and Arlo, I've been dealing OK with the prospect of losing my little girl. She has shown so much improvement today since her treatment that it's almost like she isn't even sick. I'm a realist though, and am preparing myself for the worst. If a miracle happens, I'll enjoy it to the max. Meanwhile my goal is to make Itty feel as loved and comfortable as is possible. She is eating up all the attention Mommy and Ozzie are giving her these past few days. Hugs to all of you, Mommy GG

[yukkabelle]

Thank you Greta for the update. I am glad to read that Itty is not too bad tonight Please take care about not to hurt you and your fingers again. Itty and Ozzie need an entire mommy with all her full body. Please give to Itty and also to Ozzie a sweet soft cuddle of Love from me. Sending loving hug to you too.

[Deleted]

I'm so sorry to hear about Itty's vet visit. It's never easy to see our babies not feeling well. I have a couple of tips to help you.
Becareful about giving Itty Nuti-cal and Ferretvite, it has sugar in it which is not good for her if she has insulinoma. If it's a tiny amount in her soup, it's probably ok, but to give to her straight is alot of sugar, just a thought.
What size needles are you using to give Itty fluids with? If your vet hasn't already given it to you, have them give you the butterfly or winged infusion needles with the lead. I use a 23 guage, which is tiny. It's easier to use it with the lead because if they start to wiggle around, you can put them down and follow them around with the syringe in your hand and the needle still in them. I usually pour a strip or puddle of ferretone in front of them, it keeps them busy while your filling them with the fluids.
I also warm the fluids which really helps, it's shocking to them to have cold fluids injected in them. I usually fill the syringe with what ever amount of fluids I'm giving, then run it under hot water until it's the temp I want. I keep testing it on my arm to get the right temp. Draw up a little extra fluids so when you test it you still have the right amount your giving her.

You probably already know all this, but just in case you don't, it might help, and maybe it can help someone else when they have to give fluids. I had to give my Drew fluids twice a day for a month, until we found out he had liver cancer and it was time to let him go.
Your love and care is what's getting Itty through all of this, just keep it up and enjoy every kiss, nuzzle and touch you get from her.
Keep us posted

[huronna]

You are an amazing woman Greta. The strength of your soul is commendable. I know you will do everything possible to keep Itty as happy and as comfortable as possible.

Though Ozzie loves his sister, I think he has bonded with you even more. You might want to think about his being your partner. He may not need another little furry right away because he has so much love from you.

[dee517]

I was so sad to hear that Itty's vet visit turned out to be bad news. Itty is in the best home that she could wish for. I know living with you she will get best love and care a ferret could hope for. I will keep both of you in my prayers. It is good to hear that Ozzie is being careful with his sick older sister. Ozzie must love his little older sister and know that Itty can't take any rough play right now.

[greta]

greensky, I don't know what guage Itty's subQ needles are. I only know the vet told me that they are very large. The tech emphasized that only half the needle should be injected into Itty's scruff. So far it's going ok, but after stickin g my finger with one of those needles, I now hesitate to subQ Itty, fearing it will give her pain. I have not added NutriCal to her soup as yet and after reading what you have posted, I won't be doing so. I put pure whipping cream and Ferretone in her soup and both will help boost her weight. So far, my baby has gotten better every day and I'm hoping God gives us lots more time together. It is such a pleasure to feel her warm, sweet little body nestled next to my chest when I hold her during those long, long cuddles. Thank you for your concern and your good advice. Hugs, Greta

Heidi, I already have some feelers out for a friend for Ozzie, but if nothing happens from this, I won't pursue it any farther until I see how Ozzie adjusts if/when we lose our Itty girl. You do have a good point, but I cannot picture myself ever living without a ferret or two around. Seems I've become adidicted to these little darlings. Loving hugs, Greta

Thank You!, Dee. Loving hugs, Greta

[furballlover]

bless her heart. you and precious Ittly are in my thoughts. May her treatment work for a long time!

[gardenfairy]

greta, I'm unbelievable sad to read this news. I'm in WY heading out to Yellowstone, and this campground has WiFi... so I can check in for news. I'm right there with Reanee... knowing you will take great care of her until the end. I still am amazed by our little fuzzheads with they're ability to hide problems until it is almost too late. So just give both your kids big hugs, and kissies from their Aunt Kathy. Keep one hug for yourself. I'll be offline for a week now.