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Should I get a new baby ferret after the loss of mine?

I had to have my 11 year old ferret put down because she was old and went into a massive seizure and was in alot of pain. My family thinks I should take a few months to cope with the loss and when im better, I should get a baby ferret. Wouldn't this be like im replacing my ferret? I mean when you get a new baby ferret you have to take it to get shots and then they need routine check ups. My mom never took mine to the vet so wouldn't it be unfair to my ferret if this new one got taken to the vet, it would be like this one is being taken care of better than mine. What should I do? Would it be fair to my ferret if I got the new one?

Public Comments

1. If you dont got the money for the vet bills I wouldnt but if you do go ahead and get one its not like replacing your last one it would be like filling in the spot it seems to me you took good care of your first one becuase my sister in law got one and it died weeks later
2. First off, commend yourself for the fact that you must have taken really good care of this ferret for it to live for 11 years! I haven't had one live past 6 1/2 as they've all ended up with adrenal disease, cardiomyopathy, insulinoma or lymphoma. Secondly, you wouldn't "replacing" be your ferret. When I've lost a ferret I've often added a new member to the family shortly after. Having a new baby to love and cherish definitely helps to get over the grief of the lost ferret. And if you have other ferrets it helps fill the loss that they must feel as well. As for your question as to how it "wouldn't be fair" to the other one if you took this one to the vet - absolutely wrong. It wouldn't be fair to IT if you didn't! Yes, the other one should have had regular vet visits but it looks like you were lucky and it didn't end up with all those diseases I mentioned above. If your pet had been sick with one of those diseases, though, and you'd neglected to get it treatment, then yes, that would definitely have been mistreatment. Be proud that you want to get this one regular vet care - as you should. And remember - your lost ferret would want nothing more than to know that you're continuing your love for ferrets with this new baby kit. Come join my ferret forum at http://ferretocious.hyperboards.com I unfortunately have a lot of experience with loss. I lost THREE of my babies this year - two to insulinoma and one who I didn't even know was sick - his body was riddled with lymphoma.
3. We all learn about pets by owning them. In a perfect world, people would thorougly educate themselves and research before purcahsing them but...in general I don't see that often. You would not be replacing your deceased ferret. You just want another shot at caring for a ferret as well as another little fuzzy to love. Also...your deceased ferret would be happy to see you own a ferret that you took PROPER care of by taking it for yearly check-ups. Here is what I recommend: Spend the next 3 months researching the proper care of ferrets and saving up money every week. If you put away 30 or 40 bucks a week you will have a nice pile of money that will allow you to purchase the ferret, its food, its treats, some new toys, new water bottle, new hammocks, AND be able to afford its first trip to the vet. You won't have to replace the cage just the accessories. Clean the cage thoroughly. Also...let me let in you on a little secret! Shots are not always necessary! Often, a simple check-up is all that is needed for ferrets. Maybe some blood-work if necessary. If you are not planning on taking your ferret outside often and your other pets (such as cats and dogs) are up-to-date on their shots, then you just simply do not need them. SOME states REQUIRE a rabies vaccine. Just ask your vet.
4. You are opening your heart to a new family member while having the memories of your other ferrets. Remember, you have just gone through a tough time with illness and loss, and that can take a toll on anyone. As one poster stated, take your time, save a few bucks and read up on owning a baby ferret. Remember, they are young, and like to play, while an older one will not be as active.
5. Maybe you haven't grieved enough yet, but you wouldn't be replacing your fist ferret. Every critter is different and can't ever be replaced. Don't feel guilty about taking the new ferret to the vet-the new one should be loved just as much as the old and if it had been possible to take the first one to the vet, I'm sure you would have. Or maybe you just didn't realize how important it is to take 'em to the vets-whatever your reasoning for not taking your first, it doesn't matter. He lived 11 years! That's amazing and it's obvious you loved him very much or you wouldn't have the guilt. I would rescue one from a shelter to help honor your original ferret. You'd be saving a life! Also, maybe get two-it's not much more difficult to care for two and they like having a buddy.
6. Give yourself a little while to grieve and then adopt one from a shelter. You wouldn't be replacing your old ferret but you would be giving a chance to one who might not have one otherwise. It would almost be like you are commemorating the life of your passed ferret, don't you think? It sounds to me that you took care of your old fuzzy very well, so don't think twice about that. Please try to take your ferret in to see your vet once a year at least. It's so important. You got lucky once, who knows if you get lucky this time. Aren't they the greatest pets?