This is my first time coming here and my first post. Yesterday I came home from work and went to let my ferret Kismet out of his cage and he was dead. At first I thought he was asleep until I touched him. He had been playing and happy that morning. I took him to my vet and they said his spleen was very large and it looked like a tumor had formed and ruptured. A month ago he wasn't feeling good so I took him in and they said his spleen was a little big but that was common and he bounced back from that. The vet said that there was nothing I could have done to help him and that it wasn't my fault but I still feel guilty because I wasn't with him when he passed and just a month ago my oldest schnauzer Bridget had to be put to sleep because of declining health. The past few months I've been spending so much time worrying about her that I hope he didn't feel like I neglected him. I am in shock and in despair. It just hurts so much. Bridget was 15 years old and Kismet was five years old. This is turning out to be the worst year of my life. Thanks for listening.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your beloved Kismet and Bridget. Please know that you are in my thoughts at this very painful time.

I am sorry you are having such a bad time. It is completely natural to feel guilt as part of the bereavement process I'm afraid. It isn't your fault that the little one became unwell, and if you HAD known, you would have done everything you could. Animals are very good at hiding their illnesses. I have been through this too and I understand how you are feeling. I didn't spot my kitten's illness, and wasn't with her when she passed. All the reassurance from the vets hasn't made me feel any less guilty.

Take comfort from the fact that you gave your pets a loving home. So many poor animals never experience this.

You have had a terrible month and I feel truly sorry for you. In time you will (albeit slowly) start to feel better.

Please take care.

i posted to you in the "read this ....." forum before finding your post here.
{{{HUGS}}}
elaine