About flying with ferrets:
 
A few weeks ago, an article about flying with pets appeared on the
rec.pets newsgroup from an ex-baggage handler at Houston
Intercontinental airport.  He had a lot of good advice and some
disturbing information, but to summarize, he strongly recommended
bringing your pet in the cabin with you, by making a scene if
necessary.  If you absolutely must check your pet, he had some very
good advice about that, too, which I'd be glad to email to anyone
who's interested.
 
On heat and ferrets:
 
Scott, I join the rest of the FML in expressing my condolences.
Whether Toons' tragedy was caused by heat or something else, it has
reminded us all to be careful as warm weather approaches.  The
following comes from section 9.4 of the FAQ -- I'm very sorry it's too
late to prevent your sorrow.
 
| Ferrets don't tolerate heat well at all.  Even temperatures in the 80s
| (say, above 27C or so) can cause problems.  The first thing to do, of
| course, is to PREVENT heat exposure in the first place, by providing
| shade and plenty of cool water, and never leaving a ferret closed up
| in a car in the summer.  If you live in a hot climate, you must
| realize that your ferret will need special care in mid-summer.
|
| Ferrets in distress from heat will first pant, then go limp, then lose
| touch with their surroundings.  The first thing to do is to get the
| ferret out of the hot place and start cooling him down slowly.  Cool
| water is best, but not too cold, since the ferret's body temperature
| will drop way too far, with him unable to stop it.  Anything you can
| get him to drink is good, but never force liquids into an unconscious
| animal.
|
| After these emergency measures, get your pet to the vet immediately.
| Even ferrets that seem to have recovered may die within 48 hours due
| to the massive shock they've undergone.
 
- Pam Greene         ==> Ferret Central has moved! <==
Tell your friends, tell your neighbors, and change your links to
       <http://www.optics.rochester.edu:8080/users/pgreene/central.html>
[Posted in FML issue 1141]