Jen, I don't know if this will help you make your decision or not. I had a ferret until recently (just lost him on the operating table due to a possible genetic abnormality, but that is another story) who had not been descented. Rusty was the sweetest of all ferrets and we had him since he was 5 months old. I discovered he was not descented when he was about a year old. I had not realized that the odor I occasionally smelled was from this until the third time when my brain finally clicked in and I checked his records from the breeder. Sure enough, he had been neutered but not descented. My husband found out when we were at a vet show at the university and Curt, my husband, decided that we really needed to add a pitbull to our menagerie. The Pit was really curious about Rusty who responded with a poof. I was holding him at the time. My husband was about 10 feet away and a grimace came to his face as he exclaimed "Phew! Why would anyone want a scented ferret?" Needless to say, I was laughing! Rusty rarely poofed until he became really sick this past year. He would occasionally then poof in his sleep. On one occasion, I was babysitting Rusty's littermate who had the same genetic problems. While I was holding them both I got a double dose! I still believe the smell is better than a wet dog. Would I descent just because? No. However, I do know that impaction can be a problem as they get older. And Rusty was regularly 'milked' by our vet when she felt that he needed it. In all, it is not usually a problem and any surgery can have complications. Maybe, as your girl becomes more comfortable, she will exercise a bit more control. Hope this helps. Debbie F. [Posted in FML issue 3218]