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2:48:00 PM EDT
Feeling Sad
Saying goodbye
We lost The Butterball a few hours ago, and Hazelnut is almost gone. Poor little things.
I did find out last night what might have saved them, had we only known. If the mother rabbit had been given an injection of oxytocin within forty eight hours of giving birth she might have started mothering them. The vet they spoke to did not know that. He told them there was nothing to do and just put the babies somewhere dark and let them die. Maybe it would have been kinder to let them die right away. I do not know. I had to try.
I will know about the oxytocin next time.
I am taking Tommy Girl back to her owners with very specific instructions as to keeping a nest box in her cage. I think she is already pregnant again, as she started pulling fur today. This time maybe she will have a chance of raising a litter. They need to be more responsible and get her partner neutered.
The kittens are healthy and thriving at this point. So are the orphaned gerbils. I did tell someone today I could not take some sick possums she had found. I think that the wild mice might have brought a virus into the house, since all the newborn animals die on their nineth day of life. The coons and the rabbits both died when they were nine days old.
She is a former rehabber so they are in good hands.
To boost my spirits, I had to remember that we have lost one injured adult bat, three coons and four rabbits. We have saved three bats, two turtles, three pigeons, a rat and her litter of ten babies, a possum, a cat, a gerbil, a mouse and two betta fish just since January....and we have two kittens and three baby gerbils right now. That is a good record overall.
The losses just hurt so much.
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Thanks from one who could not do your work. I am grateful that you are strong enough and willing. Love, Margo
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So sad...but still glad you are trying.
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(((((((((Kas)))))))))
Sending hugs to the girls too.
Love ya,
Connie -
{{{hugs}}} to you all :(
5/18/05 6:34 PM