Mortimer's biopsy came back squeaky clean.  No cancer.  Thanks to everyone
who took the time to send an encouraging note.  I hope that this is the last
we see of the dreaded adrenal disease.  He never lost any hair, but he is
gaining his weight back, and his coat is getting softer and thicker.  He's
also very active, like he used to be before he got sick.
 
Licking the tub: Our ferrets love this.  I think in part it's the soap taste
they are after.  I've heard some people say that this means they have some
sort of a dietary deficiency.  Personally, I think they just love it.  I
don't pig out on chocolate ice cream because I have a chocolate, sugar, and
fat deficiency in my diet.  Anyway, we've found that letting them lick up as
much warm, slightly soapy water as they want after showers does no harm.  I
hope this is the case for you, too.
 
Smelly ferrets: First of all, I question the judgment of the FML member who
gave you the ferrets without verifying that this was okay with the owners of
the home the ferrets will be living in.  If you don't pay the rent or own
the house, then you have to live with the rules set by those who do.  My
advice is to find a home for your ferrets where they are welcome.  I know
it's hard when you're young and it seems like other people are controlling
your life.  Second, here's how to get rid of the ferret smell, and I hope it
helps your fuzzies change your parents' minds.  The smell doesn't come from
them, it comes from the bedding and waste.  Set aside a good supply of
bedding.  Old towels are perfect.  Then rotate the bedding so that you are
changing it every few days, or at least every week.  Also scoop the litter
every single day.  This should rid you of most of the smell.  Look for
hidden piles of poop, and scrub crevices in the cage.  Good luck!  Also, NOT
bathing them will keep them from over-producing their musk.
 
The eczema survey is rolling along well.  If you would like me to send you a
copy to fill out, email me.  I have also learned that I was propagating a
wrong spelling of eczema.  <----that is correct.  Eczema is a skin rash,
according to my doctor, caused by nothing in particular.  However, many of
us have noticed that we developed this rash soon after we got ferrets.  If
this happened to you, fill out my survey, and we'll collect some information
that may help others!
 
-Catherine Shaffer
[Posted in FML issue 1687]