Have had no problems with Febreeze, but I follow the instructions to a
"t".  There have been reports of some animals make sick or killed when
people did just plain stupid things.  In one case someone didn't want to
wash a critter so sprayed a ton of Febreeze right on the animal.  Stupid!
In another someone used it on animal bedding -- a big "no-no" and then let
the animal use the bed while it was still wet.  We use it on rug locations
where they went to the bathroom with good results, and we always let it dry
till bone dry before the animals can get anywhere near it.  On humid days
we allow extra time.  There have been a pile of false rumors out there
about Febreeze.  Use the FML search feature and you will find a LOT.
 
Everyone read Alicia's report on Tara yesterday.  Sadly, the bad shelter
where such horrors occurred has been allowed to reopen.  Meanwhile KiSta
which is the very good shelter that helped save these animals and Kim of
KiSta have been harassed.  It's heartbreaking to be in what is actually
one of the better states in the country for animal protection and see this
happening.  No one accused of animal abuse should be able to reopen a
shelter while on trial for that crime.  No one on trial for animal abuse
should have days or warning before inspections.  Can't think of any states
that don't nee better animal protection legislation.
 
One of the big causes of preventable deaths in early years of people
discussing ferrets over the Internet were latex ingestion or rubber
ingestion and the resulting blockages.  Recliners were another hazard that
hadn't been talked about elsewhere before then.  Of course, the internet
changes ferret care and medicine in many ways, and still does.
 
Kat, ask your vet.  If out experiences hold for you then don't hold the
head still, or the tremors might cause injury when you do (Give it more
time and help reduce tension there if vet says okay to do so.), but DO
exercise the leg once the vet okays that and DO take it through range of
motion exercises so that it doesn't freeze up (dittos for vet's okay
first).  Sometimes these are best given after massage, or after warming the
limb.  Floating in a ferret-body temp or slightly warmer tub has worked
well in the past here for restoring a limb which can be restored.  Full
support of head and trunk with one hand will be likely be needed during the
early stages.  Again, ask vet first.  If there are bilateral, draining,
inner ear infections then your vet may want you to do these without water
floating during the healing to avoid water in the ears.  Ask that, too.
 
Enacard: what you need is to use a pro, a compounding pharmacist because
those know or can find out which pills can be cut and which can be given in
a suspension and what type of suspension.  If you don't have one near you
here's one which delivers nationwide and works with a number of zoos, too:
Belividiere 1-800-322-1302.
 
Monica, start at Ferret Central and read everything there.  You NEED this
information and your ferrets need it even more.  It's a hard thing to start
with ill ferrets from scratch so you have a lot to learn.  Go to
http://www.ferretcentral.org (NOT .com).
 
1: usually late in 6th year to early in 8th but the range can be large and
there was one with known birthdate who made it to 14 reported on FML.
2. See the oil on belly trick in Ferret Central.
3. Get to a knowledgeable vet and consider possible adrenal neoplasia you
can learn more about these at the above site and at
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc including learning your treatment options.
4. Think someone a while back reported a new support surgery approach;
can't recall if it was here, though, Anyone remember about new rectal
support surgeries?
5. and 6.  Learn about insulinomae at the two sites I mentioned above
which go into it in clear detail including symptoms and treatment options
(both surgical and medical versions); if she is too weak for surgery and
actually has insulinoma then prednisone and proglycem are useful but the
diagnosis must be a clear one first.
[Posted in FML issue 3099]