Hi!  This is the first time I have posted to ask a question, so I guess
I'll introduce myself.  I am owned by a Qtr. horse filly, one cat (hopefully
soon to be two), two dogs, and last but definately not least, two furbabies.
Kitt is a MF 6 yr old sable female ferret, and Bo(aka Bubba) is a 3 yr old
MF silver mitt male ferret.  We have been lucky as not to have any major
health problems, knock on wood.  The problem is last Thursday morning I
noticed a lump about the size of a pea on the side of Kitt's face, behind
her jaw so it is not an infected tooth.  It was not there the day before.
I called the vet and took her in right away.  BTW she is otherwise very
healthy and active, she is putting on her winter fat and coat like normal
and feels great.  Since she feels okay and the lump does not seem to bother
her my vet said to keep on eye on it to see if it turns into a abscess.  So
far nothing.  If it is still there in a week or two he wants to put her
under anestetic (sp?) and remove the lump.  He is not a very ferret
knowledgeable vet, but is willing to read anything I bring in.  He is the
only vet she has ever seen.  If anyone has any suggestions please post on
the FML or e-mail me privately.  I would appreciate any advice.
 
Next issue.  I went into a small pet store I had never been in before, I
usually stick to Petco and Petsmart.  They had two ferts in the most awful
condition I almost cried.  I haven't been able to forget about them.  They
we in a filthy cage, with feces everywhere.  A litter box with no litter in
it.  They were out of food.  And they had one tiny scrap of a rag to lay on
that was covered in urine and feces.  It was so hot in there I was sweating
and the two babies just didn't act "right".  What should I do or who should
I turn them in to?  I wished I could have bought them just to get them out
of there, but it is just not possible.  Again, advice would be great.
 
Thanks,
Stephanie and my clan
Kitt "Mom, I feel so good I even played with the cat, and you know I'm too
good for all these non ferret or non human animals."
Bo "Oh, I'll just flump here and wait for someone to pick me up."
Trouble the cat "What do you mean I'm not a ferret?"
Dakota the Border Collie "You want to play?!  Huh, huh, huh?!  Come on lets
play!!!!"
Jewell the Lab "Don't any of you guys ever sleep?"
Ornery the horse "The name says it all."
[Posted in FML issue 2498]