Barb & Skittles - Have you tried Science Diet A/D?  It is a very palatable
moist canned food that mine love.  Also if Skittles likes Pedialyte (fruit
or plain flavored) you could try mixing it with the baby food or A/D.  Keep
trying and keep us all posted.  Also, when Gizzie was very sick the first
time I was instructed by my vet to quarantine him.  Unfortunately, that
was a big mistake.  He would not eat, drink or anything.  He was totally
depressed and decided life wasn't worth living so I put him out with the
others and voila!  He started eating and drinking again.  I know I was
risking infecting the others but I was not willing to loose Gizzie.
Thankfully, his problem was not contagious (at least no one else got sick),
but I have no doubt he would have mourned himself to death had I left him
isolated in the cage.
 
Thomas - The rabies vaccine is not 100% effective.  If your dog gets rabies
and is secreting the virus then yes he/she can transmit it to your ferret via
saliva into an open wound or mucous membrane.  It could also be transmitted
to you.  Best to have all vaccinated and not allow them to associate with
wild or other domestic animals (i.e. don't let your dog run free and provide
a safe shelter for him/her).
 
Dr. Williams and Dr. Weis - Another friend said her ferret is licking her
urine from the potty papers (she uses paper in corners).  She is otherwise
healthy and happy.  Skittles came from me and had never shown such behavior
before.  Her diet consists of Iams and Special kitty (equal parts) with a
steady supply of fresh water.  Skittles has even started to lap up Pips
(her friend) urine.  Could she be lacking something or could this be some
time of "mothering" thing.  Skittles is about 2 years old and is a Marshall
farms ferret.
 
Ferret Smith - What a wonderful name.  Is it truly your birth name?  I was
considering adding "Sprite" legally to mine!  (o.k. so I'm a little ferret
crazy, but if I was rich you'd only call me eccentric).  I wouldn't use a
flea collar on ferrets because they are not intended for them and you may
risk pesticide toxicity.  I use the Pre-Cor spray on bedding, furniture,
carpets, dogs but only a tiny bit on the ferrets and only when necessary
(like last summer).  Treat the environment, bathe the pets, powder them
down with a ferret safe product.
store
hugs.  tle
[Posted in FML issue 1115]