Ann Gruden of FACT asked me to post the following update on Mira, our rescue
who was burned.  Also, there is an updated photo on our web site.
http://www.ferret-fact.org/Mira6.htm
 
Hello and Happy Holidays to all of Mira's friends!  It's been just about
a month since we gave everyone and update - so here goes!
 
First -- the BIG news: Mira has started ferret hopping!  Well, it really
isn't much of a hop as normal ferret's go - but it IS a sideways hop, and it
IS most definitely, well, ferrety!
 
It's very heard to describe precisely how Mira manages this neat little
trick, given the damage to her front legs.  But over the past month we have
become far more aggressive with her physical therapy (more in a few moments)
and she has begun to loose some of her "baby-fat." Both, I think, have
contributed to her newfound activity.
 
I'm not sure exactly where Mira's story last left off - but the first week
of December she was back up to Tufts for another evaluation with the burn
specialist there.  It was a rather brief visit.  One of those rechecks where
the doctor tells you that you are progressing and makes another appointment
for a month later for another check-up (I think we've ALL experienced those
types of visits!).
 
He also added two pieces of information, however.  One, was a bit more
explanation behind his preference to postpone skin graft surgery as long as
possible.  Apparently, scar tissue is replaced as a wound heals with a
different type of texture.  He explained it as being similar to a
basketweave design.  This type of skin has far more flexibility than what
initially develops.  The doctor wants to wait to see just how much of this
type of scar tissue develops before he intervenes.
 
Second, he informed us that he had accepted a position at Angell Memorial in
Boston and would be moving there from Tufts at year-end.  He managed to book
us an appointment during his last few days at Tufts for Mira's next
check-up.  Following that we will probably need to go to Angell Memorial for
future check-ups and her eventual graft surgery.
 
If I could get a camera in close enough, I could show everyone exactly what
the extent of the damage is.  But if you turned her over (an option she
dislikes immensely), you would see a small web of skin between her "armpit"
and her chest.  This represents both scar tissue and stunted growth from her
injuries.  This is the area that will eventually require the surgery to give
her legs the maximum amount of movement.
 
The biggest challenge has been exercising Mira.  Each night we've taken her
from the "old lady room" where she's housed to play through our house ---
after locking up my alpha "bad boys" who chase down little old ladies and
defenseless kits for jollies!  But, we can work her little legs and play
with her, but it just isn't the same as rough and tumble ferret play --
which Mira can't deal with.
 
Well - it just so happens that Santa brought Mira and early Christmas gift -
an 8 to 9 week old jill - Emily Bronte who arrived at the rescue about 10
days ago.
 
Emily is a petite little girl with a wonderful disposition!  Because of her
size, she hasn't been able to hurt Mira as she plays her baby ferret games.
While Mira can't run away, she and Emily managed, very quickly, to work out
an accommodation which Emily rarely breaks.
 
We landed up putting Emily in with Mira because the boys in the regular
rescue downstairs were just so big and bouncy.  Emily was just too small to
handle that crowd.  So we put her in with the old-timers when she arrived
and it's been a godsend to us.  Not only does she give some positive
"stress" to the old-timers, but also she has been helping Mira exercise.
It's just been a "win-win" situation for everyone!
 
We'll update everyone again early next year.
[Posted in FML issue 2173]