In regards to you post on the licking chewing ferret-- I want to express that I amnot a vet-- rather a shelter Mom , but the symptoims yoiu described do illustrate a very strong possibility that your ferret is once again suffering from a stress induced ulcer / hrlicobacter infection. You wrote: >vet#2 who did blood work (eliminated hypoglycmia) and said it was probably >stomach ulcers. She was on amoxi and pepto for 2 weeks and improved for >several months. This positive response to prescribed meds does show that -- most probably-- the problem was a ulcer type condition -- sometimes treatments for this condition can last 30 days or more.... >In December the licking thing started a little and recently has become bad >again along with her being lathargic. Took her to vet#3 who says she has >enlarged lyph nodes that are causing the chewing/licking and thinks it >could be lyphocomia(sp?) and wants to do a biopsy. She is now on >antibiotics and predesone. If the ulcer or helicobacter condition returned ( often stress conditions will with changes in routine or household) and was not caught early-- the infection would cause the lymph nodes to enlarge or swell-- just like when you get a infection! The prudent treatment would be to repeat the antibiotic ulcer regimen first to see if the condition responds to it-- before jumping into surgery.. Surgery in a ferret with compromised health causes a delayed healing-- I would urge you to check with the vet again-- if th4e blood tests are normal ( blood glucose) and if a blood count shows higher white count (common in infection) then I would think running antibiotics most prudent before doing the surgery.... >She still eats/sleeps/uses her litter box the same and has not lost any >weight. Just has the licking/chewing/swallowing thing and lethargy. These are good signs-- --has anything happened to make the ferret stressed? Change in residence, routine or ferret family? If so you can almost count on this being a strsss induced illness-- caught early you should see a full recovery. Best wishes to you both-- Alicia for the many faces of Ferret Wie http://www.dartmouth.edu/~crassi/index.html Please visit iGive where you can anonymously click away andhelp support our shelter rehab and hospice programs! http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?cid=1890&mid=9535 [Posted in FML issue 2993]