Hi, everybody!
 
        Just for further clarification on the vaccination thing -- Katie's
right about the decreased effect in the rump as opposed to the head or neck --
 at least as far as localized reactions go (I don't know about systemic
reactions -- Drs.?).  The reason being that shots given in the rump are given
in the muscle, whereas shots given in the neck/shoulder area are given
subcutaneously -- or under the skin -- there are many more mast cells (which
as Dr. Williams mentioned are big culprits in allergic reactions) in the skin
than in muscle, so I presume this is the reason for the increased local
reaction when given subcutaneously.  Cats have been known to get some pretty
severe long-term local reactions to rabies vaccines given subcutaneously, and
since we often extrapolate from cats to ferrets, it is always better to give
a rabies vaccine to ferrets in the rump rather than in the shoulder as
distemper vaccines often are.
 
        I don't know if my `stolen things' story is as good as some of the
others (I particularly liked the vaccuum cleaner -- that's hysterical!), but
I'll tell it anyway.  My ferrets, particularly my youngest who forgets `No!'
immediately after any incident, *love* my eyeglass case.  Or I should say
cases -- because I've had to replace it once already and they have just
stolen the new one, too.  I have looked in all the customary places, but I
think they reserve an extra-special secluded hiding spot for this most
coveted of treasures.  Tribble (yes, the youngest -- even though she's nearly
a year, she seems to be stuck in a permanent state of the `terrible two's!')
has even gone so far as to learn how to open my backpack by digging at the
zipper until it moves so that she can sink her teeth into this lovely leather-
like object -- and goodness help me if I accidentally leave it out!  If I've
just put my glasses on and the ferrets are out and I don't put the case away
*right that second* -- if I turn around I suddenly find a ferret skidding
under the dresser in the closet.  And no eyeglass case.  Have I whittered on
about this long enough?  I think so.  Of course there was the time when
Trella was about 8 weeks old and she tried to steal my former roommate's
dog's leash.  It was one of those adjustable-length ones that rolls up into a
case and this was a big one for a big dog -- must have been 2-3 times her
weight.  But she was determined to have it.  The dog found this fascinating --
 she's a 70 lb. big goofy boxer mix, and she followed Trella dragging the
leash as if to say, `Hey!  Whatchya doin' with my stuff?  We goin' for a
walk?'.  It was hysterical -- Krista and I couldn't stop laughing -- too bad
we were supposed to be studying for a test.
 
        Ferrets -- the world's most enjoyable study break.  Okay, maybe
second-most enjoyable. ;)
 
Laura L'Heureux, Trella, and Tribble, too
U. of Illinois Vet Med Class of `96
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[Posted in FML issue 0780]