> Circulation:  211          Moderator: Chris Lewis
 
So we've cracked the 200 mark, eh?  Is this cause for celebration, Chris?
Or should I start worrying that yo can't afford us anymore? ;-)
 
[I'm not sure yet.  On the other hand, to send this, I have to
send out almost 60 copies at 40K apiece.  It's about $4.  This
is the biggest article I've ever sent...]
 
Seriously, welcome to all the new people -- you've found a wonderful
resource.  Chris provides a great service for us here.  (I was going to
warn 'em about your tendency toward tyranny <wink, nudge> but let 'em find
out for themselves!  :-)
 
[It's "Tyrannical Dictator" if you please! ;-)]
 
Jeffrey Singman -- as far as I know, ferrets are legal throughout
Missouri.  If there are individual localities there that ban them, I don't
know about them.  I'm sure somebody must.  Chip?
 
Zarlengtp -- when your carpet shark is asleep, take away his little ferret
assault rifle.  That'll mess him up!  Oh, and what do we call you besides
Zarlengtp?
 
Paul Bodmer --  you've come to the right place to find out about ferrets!
Check the message at the top of this list for the listserver address --
you can get back issues of the FML and find out more than you ever want to
know! :-)  And, yes, New Hampshire is no longer a Ferret Free Zone. (yeah!)
 
Seth Morabito -- ditto what I said to Paul.  Except you should know that
New York State requires a permit to own ferrets.  I hope you don't live
in NYC when you're not at school -- ferrets are currently illegal there
(though they may not be much longer -- Jeb, any news?)
 
Mark Ouellette, Tom Hall and Shawn Box -- ditto above.  Tom & Shawn --
what's the current legal status of ferrets in Maine?  Someone said they'd
heard ferrets were recently banned there, but I never saw this confirmed
or denied.
 
Chris Tabaka -- You made it!  Welcome to the FML!
 
Jennifer Au -- glad to see you back with us!  We've missed you!
 
Now my news -- Molly has developed an enlarged vulva.  Yes, I am sure she
was neutered properly as a kit; she is four years old, and I'm sure she
would have had problems before otherwise.  Anyway, I took her to the vet
Saturday, and he seemed satisfied that this was not due to improper
neutering.  He concluded that she has vaginitis and prescribed .5 ml of
Clavamox twice a day for 10 days, and we're to notify him if anything
changes or it gets worse.  Her behavior is normal, though we noticed last
night that she is rubbing her bottom more after she poops.  (The vet had
asked if we'd noticed any peculiar behavior after she urinates, which we
haven't.)
 
[Mocha was over 5 before she had the same problems.  The vet decided,
after reading about Cushings to try a 3 shots of HCG spaced a week apart
first to rule out traces of ovarian tissue.  He really didn't want
to try a splenectomy.  Cleared up on the third shot.  Has happened
twice so far.]
 
If anyone can add anything, please let me know.  For instance, are there
any problems with Clavamox and ferrets?  He always gave Bandit
amoxycillin, but he told me Clavamox is a broader-spectrum antibiotic
(It's amoxycillin with an additional medication in it).  FWIW, while
Bandit looooved the bubblegum flavor of Amoxy-drops, Molly HATES the
banana-flavored Clavamox -- we have to mix it with Nutrical (what would we
do without it??) before she'll take it.
 
Also, Bandit had what may be his last chemo shot this weekend (it was a
busy weekend for Fritz-Lang ferrets visiting the vet!).  We're going
to be scheduling an ultrasound for him this week (we hope) -- cross
your fingers that it's clear.  If it is, Dr. Jeglum will be stopping
the chemo and we'll start weaning him off Prednisone.  Whew!
 
Bandit's become SUCH a snack hound again, it's both incredibly cute and
infuriating!  He will come into the kitchen and just STAND there, looking
at us until we notice him, and then he stands up on his hind legs,
begging.  And he won't go away until he gets a tortilla chip or a grape.
What a mooch!
 
Sigmund seems to be bent on proving something, but I don't know what.  We
have to keep all the toilet seats closed, or he will jump in.  And if you
open the refrigerator door when he's anywhere near, he will jump into the
refrigerator!  Lastly, Jeff had his lap desk leaning against the couch the
other day, and caught Sigmund in the act of running up the incline and
doing back flips!  Maybe he's training for the ferret pentathalon?
 
Katie & Jeff, Bandit, Molly, Charlie, Pogo & Sigmund
--------------------------------------------------
Katie Fritz
Small Mammals Section Leader/CompuServe Pets Forum
Internet: [log in to unmask] CIS: 71257,3153
 
[Posted in FML issue 0443]