To Katie Walker:
 
>Anyway, the reason I am writing is to get some advice on hairballs.  Ian
>has been sort of hacking of late like he has a hairball.
 
    Katie - have you noticed any hairballs on the floor, or hair in the
feces?  While hairballs are common in ferrets, they are not the only cause
of hacking.  A hacking cough may be the result of inhalation of foreign
material like dust, bronchitis, or even heart disease (yes, even in a
5-month old.)
 
    If the laxative is working, I think that George should make a trip
to the vet for a more thorough check-up.
 
Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP
[Posted in FML issue 1287]