Hello - thank you to all those who have written over the past few months
asking if I was still around and other questions.  I have not been posting
recently because of schedule.  Between work and a very busy breeding season
(as in too busy), haven't had a lot of time.  Also - receive so much e-mail
every day it is difficult to keep up.  My pc is kept at work and I have only
had chance to "get to it" two or three days a week - which makes it harder.
As to answering questions - with the good doctors monitoring these pages and
others with so much knowledge -- well, simply not needed.  Also, by the time
I get to FML, most questions answered or I haven't a clue as to what the
answer should be anyway!  And I confess, haven't been keeping up with FML
because of schedule.
 
However, just recently got a notebook, so may be able to pick up my mail
faster.  Was reminded of some things over the Labor Day weekend with several
emergency phone calls for nursing care advice - most vets took a chance to
take well deserved breaks - and so please know that I am available 24 hours
a day for care advice.  My telephone number is 703-765-4353.  Or e-mail me
and I will honestly try to answer faster.  But also remember that if you are
worried about your ferret, and it is possible, get to vet asap and ask
questions later!
 
For those who requested - I will try to write a silly ferret adventure story
soon - devils have been up to a lot.
 
We had a great deal more kits this season than I had originally planned for
or anticipated.  My jills have not been following the schedule posted on the
wall which calls for them to come in season throughout the year and produce
less babies!  Our largest litter was 13 and our smallest was 7.  Our first
litter was born in early March and we have continued right on through with
most recent litter born 5 weeks ago.  Fortunately, all have gone to good
homes and some have traveled to various states - except for the kits I
decided to keep (sigh).  Pretty much cured of "Kit Rapture Syndrome" for
this year.  Current litter of 8 kits all have homes with exception of three -
and two of those have "holds" on them until they can be seen.  Season not
without its trials, however, as we had two cases of necrotic mastitis - our
first.  Both jills required immediate intervention surgery and
reconstruction.  Both jills developed mastitis when kits were 3 weeks of
age.  Both jills continued to nurse their kits following surgery.  I am in
the process of writing an article on anatomy of the mammary glands,
lactation and milk production process, nursing problems and managment of
same.  Dr. Jean Wardell did the first surgery, and Dr. Tom Kawasaki the
second.  Dr Wardell will be reporting on these cases and management-care
protocol worked out on same.
 
Which brings me to comment - Bob - I am so sorry to learn of your troubles,
and I grieve for your loss of Gus.  I hope this finds your ferrets
recovering.  I, like you, keep a large group of ferrets out most of the
time, which makes for an interesting study of on-going ferret dynamics.
Usually have everyone out except for breeding hobs, jills in season, in
confinement waiting for or with kits.  For those who were shocked or upset
that Bob did a necropsy on a beloved pet - please know that many of us
around here (Washington, D.C.  Metropolitan area) do very frequently go into
surgery with our ferrets.  This, of course, is not for everyone.  But Dr.
Kawasaki and others have long permitted patients owners to accompany into
surgery -- and sometimes we even assist if it is an after-hours emergency!
Tom is great about this.  I don't know, you just sort of slip into another
mode in surgery and most who want to do it, can handle it without any
problem.  This is not to say that we are cold or un-feeling.  But have a
strong wish to stay with our ferrets and participate in their care.  Also,
we stay close while the ferret is being stabalized and monitored following
surgery, and usually take our babies home for nursing when they are stable.
This practice of taking home ferrets soon after surgery, however, should be
done only by those who feel confident and able to handle post-op management.
No doctor will let a ferret go home unless he/she feels the ferret is going
to be o.k.
 
Cheers, Meg.
Oh - nearly forgot - by request - I will sign off on my ferrets names and
colors - Sgt.  Pepper, medium silver; Sparky a.k.a.  Pluggy, sable mitt; The
Princess Tiger Lilly, chocolate mitt; Von Schokolade, chocolate; Black Hawk,
black; Beau Geste, Blaze; Jussy, black; Sugar Baby a.k.a.  Grumpy, cinnamon;
Kaitlyn, black; My Black Sin, black; Alicia, heavy silver; Honey Suckle
Rose, panda; Black Molly, black; Black Magic; black; Sweet Pea, blaze;
Passion Flower, heavy silver; Betty Boop, black; Anabella, black sable mitt;
and soon to arrive - Dierdre, albino & Cara, cinnamon mitt.  One baby in
current litter keeping but not yet named, but looks like will be a black
mitt or sable mitt.  Think that is everyone - m.
[Posted in FML issue 1693]