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Ermine, AKA Mina & Marshallm AKA Max
• They found a Forever Home February 10, 2018! |
August 23, 2023:
I just wanted to write to let you know of Marshall’s passing. We took him to Brockport on Aug. 9th to help him to the Rainbow Bridge. He was 9 1/2! He was the strongest ferret I’ve seen and held on until the end. It was a difficult decision to make but the last few days it became clear that his quality of life had greatly diminished. Thank you for trusting him to our car. He was loved and will be missed tremendously.
Danielle
Apr 19, 2019:
Max is at the Rainbow Bridge. We are honored to have been his forever home.
Shelter Response: I am so sorry, but not surprised, he's been feeling poorly for a while. Thank you again for loving the little ones we send your way. Brenda
Apr 16, 2019:
same. He doesn’t have an appetite. He will lick a little soup from my fingers. He still wanders a little, but his activity is very low. He still drink plenty of water. I am going to keep him comfortable and fed the best I can until we see Doc again on Friday. I’d rather hospice him here at home than bring him to any of the vets around here. He doesn’t seem to be suffering yet.
Shelter Response: That is how we do it as well, hospice them. Keeping them comfortable and offering soup if they want it. The night we lost Cooper he had his bowl of soup, he wanted more. I gave him a second bowl he had that then wanted more. He had a third bowl, when he finished I put him in the cage settled him in his bed. I found him gone in the morning, in the same position he was in when I walked away the night before. Died with a full tummy and warm blankie. Just the way I wish to go. Thanks for the update.
Apr 15, 2019:
Dr. Edwards called in a script to my local pharmacy. I will pick it up later this morning and see how Max does after I give him some. I remember having to give it to a ferret some years ago who was on diazaxide… It’s been a while so I forgot. We’ve been lucky the last years with no real major illnesses; but I suppose that has made us lazy :( I’ll keep you posted after Max has meds and a good meal.
Apr 14, 2019:
Good morning Brenda,
Isn’t it true that prednisone can cause stomach discomfort for the ferrets? Is there something I can give Max to help him feel better? I remember you mentioning something over the counter. How much do I give?
Generally not. Pred can cause ulcers I believe you are thinking about diazoxide. However that doesn't mean that isn't what is going on. Do you have Carafate in the house? That is what we use to help keep them from being sick to their stomachs. If not make sure Doc get you some or a script before you leave the office.
Max is not doing well. We started him on a quarter tablet of Prednisone after our visit to Dr. Edwards. He didn’t show any improvement over the course of a week. Dr. Edwards said the dose could be upped to half a tablet, so I tried that. His masses did shrink down, but he’s barely eating and I think age is the real enemy here.
I just want him to be the most comfortable. He’s losing so much weight despite Duck Soup, which I mainly have to force feed him. He still gets up and drinks and goes to the bathroom. He eats a little, but very little.
It may be his numbers are not stable enough. He has lymphoma or Insulinoma or both? The weight loss is probably the spring weight loss not necessarily from his illness. My intuition says stop the medicine altogether. I don’t think it has helped him. He continues to decline, and as much as it pains me, I think he is close to the Rainbow Bridge. I just want him to be the most comfortable and happy as can be. We go back to Dr. Edwards on Friday… but a week seems like a long time. and I know that no vet around here will be able to give me better advice. If you wish give me a call and we can go over this more.
Thank you,
Danielle
I don’t have any Carafate, but I will call Doc in the morning and ask him to phone in a script. As it turns out, I can’t find yours either.
Max’s blood glucose is low. I just tested it and the number read 47. That was after a long sleep. I am going to try to get some more soup into him now. I’ll run this by Doc also. Maybe Carafate will help his appetite. The pred. was for the lymphoma, but it should help with Insulinoma too if he has that.
Thank you for your advice. I’m sorry I didn’t email back earlier, our internet was out for a while.
March 27, 2019:
Marshall is still top ferret. It took him a long time to accept the newest one, Shaun. But now they are thick as thieves and it’s good that Marshall has another ferret who can keep up with his energy level. Those two are crazy! Shaun turned 1 in November. Marshal must be... 6 now?
All four are great mates. They sleep in their cage together at night, get up in the morning with us, have their daily routines, etc.
November 24, 2018:
Mina went to the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. It was fast and peaceful.
March 13, 2018:
Everyone is doing great and getting along. Only Princess and Mina cannot be alone together. Max and Mina LOVE each other. She plays now with Max and Marshall. Max and Marshall are two trouble making peas in a pod! It’s hilarious. Mina runs around now and stays up for hours at a time. I’m amazed at her progress from a ferret who could barely stand and went back to sleep after five minutes to this. Max, Marshall, and Princess now share the big double decker cage. Mina has her own one-story. She LOVES my daughter Mara. Mara will crawl around on her Hands and knees and Mina will run after her dooking and having a great time. Mina loves to be with her people.
Here’s a picture of Max and Mina in Mina’s hammock. He is so tender to her.
March 6, 2018:
Max, Marshall, and Mina, or the three M’s as I like to call them, actually get along really well.
March 6, 2018:
Good morning Brenda,
I opted to drive up to Brockport yesterday rather than today because of the snow storm. I’m so glad I did that because it’s bad out here. Anyway, Dr. Edwards looked her over and she’s in good health. Her BG was perfect so we are ruling out insulimona. It was most likely the Pred that caused her levels to spike. And we were trying to figure out why it was so low when she first came to me. He suggested that maybe I didn’t have enough blood in the sample. Doc Charlie told him that if the sample is way too low, the meter will give an error, but sometimes it can be enough to start a reading but not enough to give an accurate reading. I personally believe the reading was correct. But maybe it was a mistake. Either way, I’m relieved she isn’t hypoglycemic and that she doesn’t need meds. But I know what I saw when she first came to me and she was in bad shape. Why, I don’t know and I guess we’ll never know but I’m glad she is fine now. As far as her hyperadrenalcorticism, Doc gave her the Deslorelin Implant last night and told me to expect her symptoms to start to scale back in 6-8 weeks. She is still a much slower and shakier ferret, and her back legs slide out and she wobbles, but he said probably due to age. She has been much more active and aware the last few days. So perhaps the shock of the move was cause for her initial dangerous symptoms. Or maybe they were only feeding once a day. I don’t know. Doc also said adrenal can cause muscle wasting so maybe her strength will increase as the implant works. Anyway, that’s what’s going on. As long as she’s active and relatively strong, Doc says no need to check BG. But if she seems abnormally weak in the hips or very lethargic, then I will.
Shelter Response: I am pleased, Friday was not going to be an option! Wow that is great news. Okay that makes sense. I have a few ideas, poor diet, poor care, not being attended to properly. (previous owner). I don't agree with that assessment, I find if there is not enough blood then it keeps cycling or gives and error only. I do as well, I do not think it was a mistake. The owner said they were not being let out of the cage. That tells me they were probably not being well attended to. Yes they get wobbly at that age for sure.. I was laughing at my 1 yr old grandson last Sunday night, I told him his grandma walks just like him. VBG That certainly didn't help for sure. Again I would say they probably did not pay much attention to their care. I agree with that.. you are a blessing to Mina and me.. thanks so much for the update. Brenda
February 17, 2018:
She is doing much better. Her energy level is clearly higher. She stays awake for longer periods of time. She explores the downstairs. She loves to be scratched behind the head and a good lap cuddle. She even started playing a bit. I’ll check her blood glucose in a week like Doc suggested. I also learned that Marshall is scared of her.
Marshall is a real people’s ferret. You couldn’t ask for a better combination of playfulness, affectionate, and fun. He likes to play hard and then fall asleep in your arms.
February 12, 2018:
Yes, no problems at all. Discussed with Doc next step. He suggests meds for two weeks to see how her levels improve then call to make an appointment.
Update: A bit of ferretone and her first stroll around the downstairs after her first dose of Pred. I think she’s going to improve greatly over the next few days.
February 11, 2018:
Shelter to Dr Edwards:
We had a couple of ferrets that needed a new home, Danielle Boudet took them in for us. They were dropped off to Danielle on Saturday 2/10/18 the little girl is 7 yrs old. Danielle called Saturday evening to say the Ermine was not doing well so we discussed putting her on soup immediately.
I talked Danielle through doing a BG with a freestyle lite meter Ermines numbers were 20 at 3 this afternoon. 2/11/18. She has been feeding her soup at regular intervals to keep her going.
Danielle will be calling the office to speak with you about getting her on some Pred.
I wanted you to know she was vetted before going to Danielle (see attached documents) they did not do a blood glucose test when she was in. I thought you should know you were going to get a call from Danielle.
I will be calling to make an appointment for sometime the week of the 19th we have a little one going to a new home so I need to get her vetted before she leaves. I went back to work on 2/5 part time, it is knocking the snot out of me but it is good to be vertical, moving with a somewhat normal gate and manageable discomfort. Doc Charlie is as good at fixing humans as you are at fixing ferrets.
We have that week off so I will get it done then if I can, I don't want to take any more time off.
Dr. Edwards' response:
Had a chance to visit with Charlie this week and he told me you’d passed your test and we’re sliding back into work. Good job kid. Have written 6/2 in pen on the calendar. I like Danielle and it will be nice to work with her.
Shelter Response: do too, she is a smart lady and does well for the ferrets she cares for.
Thanks, I will see you sometime next week.
Brenda
February 11, 2018:
Shelter to Owner: How did she make out through the night? I expect the soup will defiantly make her feel better.
Owner response: She readily accepted the soup. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. Thank you for your advice.
February 10, 2018:
Hi Brenda,
The two Albany ferrets are in my care. The owners seemed nice and very concerned that they were going to a good home… a good sign. We are getting things settled with the new kids and will send you a picture tomorrow.
The male is named Marshal. He’s probably 4 1/2, very beautiful, very healthy, very high energy. The female is older, 7, named Ermine. She has adrenal disease, presenting as a swollen vulva. The previous owners are aware but their vet. said she was too old for surgery. I’ll see what Doc says when I go. Her personality according to Kaite is lethargic, sleeps a lot.
We are letting Marshal run in a room now while she sleeps and spend some time with her in a bit. Apparently, the two do not get along… but I think that’s because the male overwhelms her due to age. I think he’ll acclimate just fine with Max and Princess eventually. I think Ermine just needs her own calm private space for the foreseeable future. Regardless, she will be comfortable and well cared for here. Anyway, just wanted to give you a quick update. I’ll email again tomorrow and send some pictures.
Shelter Response: Thank you. I am concerned that she will not make this move easily. As bad as I feel that you are taking on this medically challenged ferret I am confident you will be able to pull her through is she has the will to make the changes.
I am so impressed with your ability to access the situation and move forward with what needs to be done.
Could be, that information was not passed on to me. I was under the impression they were bonded cage mates.
I agree with that assessment, and believe that is wise. I've no doubt in my mind, she is in very good hands. Thank you for helping us out with these kids. When you can picture of your two legged and new 4 legged would be great. Brenda
Owner Response: Ermine or Mina as we’ve been calling her is doing ok. We’ll keep at the soup and I’ll try to do a blood glucose later today just to know about where we stand.
I have their latest reports: rabies, distemper. She said she would email any past history. I can see on some of the paper work that their vet. did recommend the Deslorelin Implant for Ermine’s (I’ve been calling her Mina for short) adrenal disease and gave Kaite a quote for the price. I will ask Doc Edwards what he recommends. I’m not sure if you need it, but her weight on 1/30/18 was 1.43 lbs. I’m not sure if that’s relevant for the Pred. dosage. ’ll watch for your call tomorrow.
Shelter Response: Good - then I don't need to copy the ones she sent to me electronically. I am sure in her condition he will recommend the Deslorelin implant. Okay thanks.
Initial Contact, January 19, 2018:
Mrs. Johnson,
I am writing to see if you are able to help me with my 2 ferrets, Marshall and Ermine. I recently bought an old house with more cracks and crevices than I am able to keep them out of, and as a result they have been stuck in their cages which breaks my heart, and is unfair/unfit for them.
I inherited Marshall 4 years ago from my oldest daughter who moved to Florida and couldn't take him with her. I took on Ermine about 2 years ago from a friend who's sister was going into rehab and then a halfway house so could obviously no longer care for her. My estimation for their ages are that Marshall is about 4 1/2 and Ermine is around 6. Marshall is healthy with no medical issues aside from a surgery in March of 2015 because he swallowed a piece of foam that was blocking his stomach/intestines. Ermine was diagnosed with adrenal gland disease this past summer, and is presenting with swollen glands. She is currently not on any meds as the vet said not to unless she is presenting with other symptoms or starts to act differently or ill.
Marshall is much more active than Ermine, and really needs time to run around and play. I was hoping to put them together in the same cage, but Ermine only tolerates Marshall's playfulness for so long before she gets upset with him. I'm not sure if it's due to her having been alone so long, their difference in age/activity level, or a combination of both, but I have them in separate cages. They both are sociable with humans, and Marshall enjoys interactive play.
I thought of putting out ads looking for homes for them, but my worry is that someone will take them on without understanding the responsibility of caring for a ferret and they may end up neglected and is a worse situation than they are now Your farm looks like a dream come true for ferrets, and I would be very grateful if you would be able to accept them into your family and possibly find Marshall a suitable home.
Sincerest regards,
Kaite
Shelter Response, January 19, 2018:
Where are you located? We have an opening at this time, this link will explain all that is required to surrender your ferrets to us http://www.ferretfarm.org/PrivateSurrender.html . The ferrets must be current on vaccines with documentation.
New York State requires ferrets to be vaccinated with the rabies vaccine yearly, a more important vaccine is distemper. The distemper shots that are given to the ferrets before leaving the breeder are null and void as the FDA label states this vaccine does not work on kits under 8 weeks of age. The kits being moved from the breeder to the stores are 6 weeks when shipped.
Our web link includes ferret knowledgeable veterinarians available to get this done if you do not have a veterinarian of your own. http://www.ferretfarm.org/faq/Vets.html
Current means 8 months or longer before the ferrets need to be vaccinated again. As the web site states everything that belongs to the ferrets comes with them up to and including the cage.
We do not separate cage mates so it is imperative that if you decide you are surrendering your ferrets to this facility you keep us informed so we keep an appropriate opening for you. We work on a first come first serve basis.
The shelter directors work schedule varies on a day to day basis so we need to determine a time that fits both yours and her schedule. Surrenders generally take 45 min to a hour to complete.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Brenda Johnson
Owner Response, January 19, 2018:
Brenda,
I am located near Schenectady, NY.
I will have to make an appointment to get them their vaccines, as I'm sure it has been longer than 4 months.
I will contact you to let you know when I have an appointment.
Thank you for your help,
Kaite
Owner Response, January 22, 2018:
Brenda,
Marshall and Ermine have an appointment January 30th to get their vaccines.
The link you sent me asks for documentation. What information needs to be included?
Thank you,
Kaite
Owner Response, January 31, 2018:
Brenda,
Marshall and Ermine received their vaccines yesterday and are doing well. Attached is their documentation.
Please let me know how to move forward.
Thank you,
Kaite
Owner Response, February 6, 2018:
Brenda,
I apologize for the delayed response, apparently I sent this to the wrong person.
Kaite
Shelter Response, February 6, 2018:
Wow where did you send the emails? I put you in the not interested in following through file. I pulled you out of that file. I may have a home to slid your kids into - I contacted the family this morning.
What is your schedule for getting them to us? Everything that belongs to them comes with them, including cage, dishes, toys etc. what kind of food are you feeding them? We need that too.
Let me know. Brenda
Shelter to potential new home, February 6, 2018:
Danielle - We have a couple of kids that need a place to go they are all vetted, in Albany at the moment. Are you interested?
Potential new home, February 6, 2018:
Yes, I am interested.
Shelter Response, February 6, 2018:
Okay then I will find out when she wants to bring them - can you come to Naples or do I need to find a way to get them to you?
Potential new home, February 6, 2018:
Albany is 1 1/2 hours from me versus 3 to Naples. But whatever works for you so you can check them over and do whatever you have to do. Keep me posted.
Owner Response, February 6, 2018:
Brenda,
I had forwarded our initial emails to my boyfriend, and it seems that all my subsequent ones went only to him. I often cc him in emails, so I saw them as 'sent', he assumed he was seeing them as being 'cc'd', and neither of us realized I was leaving you out of the loop.
It's a bit of a drive for me, so I would really prefer it to be a weekend if possible. Of the next three, this weekend works best for me if you are available. If not, I will manage something to fit your schedule.
I'm happy to hear you may have a home for them. This is really difficult Knowing they will go somewhere and be loved is a comfort.
I feed them Wysong Epigen 90 Ferret Food, and I have one full bag and about 1/2 of an open bag.
Shelter Response, February 6, 2018:
Katie - meet Danielle *** Danielle meet Katie ***
Danielle has adopted from us in the past, she and her family are willing to accept your two ferrets into their home.
I am putting the transfer into your hands - you guys make the arrangements to pass them off to Danielle. Everything still applies - everything that they own goes with them.
I will email paperwork that needs to be filled out and sent back to me separately, Katie surrender papers, Danielle adoption contract. Please keep me in the loop I need a paper trail for these ferrets. If you can I would like the paperwork in my hands before the transfers takes place please.
Again I am going to step aside for the two of you to make the arrangements to transfer the ferrets into Danielle's hands, but again please keep me in the email loop.
Thanks
Potential new home, February 7, 2018:
Absolutely! We are planning for Saturday afternoon. She is coming to my house.
Shelter Response, February 7, 2018:
Oh wow - that's great.. glad you don't have to travel. Thanks for helpen us out. I am really not up to filling more cages yet, work is beating the snot out of me. I'm getting a day of rest today they called a snow day.
Brenda
Potential new home, February 7, 2018:
I understand. Glad you are feeling better but it must be tough. We have room for 2 and this works out perfectly. She said she was already planning on the 4 hour drive to Naples so she figured that 1 1/2 hours to my house was a big improvement.