Hi everyone....I have some comments...
 
First off, my condolences on parents of ferrets who have crossed the bridge
or are ill.  My good wishes go out to you.
 
When I had my hip revision (replacement of a hip replacement) last summer
when I fell of a horse cost my insurance company $5,400...which is only a
portion of the $8,000 the surgeon billed for.  Now I suspect he bills that
high to get the $5,000 he wants, but I don't know for sure.  I was a tough
case as I was in the o.r.  for 6-7 hours.  Now, if we divide these number
by 3 for a 2 1/2 hour (for the sake of simplicity) surgery we'd be looking
at a bill approaching (and exceeding in the other case) of $2,000 for just
the surgery bill for an adrenal surgery.  Now, I'm not saying that I would
want to have to pay that on my earnings, but it sure puts the $250 for
insulinoma that my vet quoted to me last check up time into a better light.
 
Lactic acid in ferrets?  Quite possible, I would think.  I know my out
of shape dog shows signs of being stiff and sore if she gets carried away
and plays too hard.  But that could be soreness from "weekend warrior"
syndrome.  Still, I suspect that ferret muscles are similar to human in
that they get sore from exercises they aren't use to if they do them to
much, and, if done in an anaerobic (a state where oxeygen input does not
meet demand, versus aerobic, when it does) state would cause lactic acid
build up and therefore pain and stiffness.
 
And, for Reet who is trying to teach her ferrets to go on walkies w/ a
leash... I have a book (can't think of the title) about training ferrets
that suggests taping a plastic spoon to an end of a dowel so that the bowl
of the spoon is pointing up to the other end of the stick.  Put harness on
ferret and ferretone or other similar goodie in the bowl of the spoonand
walk w/ the goodie just out of reach.  Start out w/ rewarding the ferret
for a step or two's progress and gradually increase the distance.  I don't
think I'd want to try this w/ more than one ferret at a time, so single
training sessions may be in order.  Also, I discovered my guys prefer to be
out when it is dawn or dusk, and will be much more cooperative...so you
could try that.  Consider giving them walkies when they are already a
little tired because they won't be as inclined to be super curious.
 
Has anyone ever used sandbox sand in their litter pans?  When Amadeus poops
and pees in his sandbox it is fantastically easy to scoop.  Is it safe?
What about odor?  Will the balls the urine makes hold up w/ a day's worth
of leavings?  Any and all info will be greatfully appreciated...
 
Pat
Tess (Hey, Mom, don't tell people I'm out of shape)
Shiloh (I still prefer my corners, thank you....)
Amadeus (I'm just wonderful, yes I am!)
[Posted in FML issue 2692]