Okay, I don't like quoting myself, but several folks sent a note asking
this same question so here is how you find info from the FHL even if you
are not a member.  Some types of info are open only to members and only
members may post, but our aim is to improve the health options of as many
ferrets as possible.
 
>>>There is a lot of information on products to treat fleas and ticks in
>>>the archive - and I suggest that you (and everyone else) review it.
>>>Thanks Dr. Williams.
 
>>I feel silly asking this, but how, rather where do you search the
>>archives?
 
>On the webpage: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list you will
>notice that there are lists on the side of things like files or messages;
>you can use those.  You can also scroll down on the main page and find the
>search box.  Type a key word in there and see where it takes you.  If you
>type in "flea" (minus the quote marks) you will find a a good strong of
>posts, who sent them, when they were sent, etc.
 
I would also like to note this:
 
There has been a suggestion that the FHL moderators check posts for
accuracy and even add some restrictions on what can be posted.  For several
reasons, providing such checks would be unwieldy, perhaps even impossible.
We also doubt that they are necessary because the readers provide their own
evaluations and cross-checks.
 
FHL members are intelligent and curious souls; they know enough to weigh
sources of information.  They know enough to realize that even while most
cases fit within certain categories that there are still variations among
individual ferrets.  They realize that their main source of information
needs to be a ferret-knowledgeable vet who is familiar with the ferret,
the case and the home situation.
 
Do people make mistakes at times?  Of course!  Are the FHL members
intelligent enough to realize that and take it into account?  Also, of
course!
 
At some point there is simply the factor of the reader taking on
responsibility for his or her own interpretation and action.  That is an
inevitable result of any discussion.  People know enough to take assorted
opinions, weigh them, (if wanted) even gently discuss them with the vets
who have hands-on knowledge of the specific individual ferret.  The final
choices though are their's, not our's.  Those folks work with their data
base and their vets and they make their choices, their own choices.  It's
simply what we all do in our own lives; in the end we sift through what
we have been given, pick and choose, and then take responsibility for the
final decisions ourselves.
[Posted in FML issue 3425]