Thankyou to those who responded. Today, Snoopy went to the vet. He was thouraghly examined and declared fit! The vet says he is in rut (awaiting castration soon), and this lapping of urine could be affiliated to high testosterone levels. His poor little jill certainly has a neck to show for it! (she has jill-jabs at present). I mentioned the possibility of enlarged prostrate and retention of urine and the vet said thankfully this doesn't seem to occur in castrated hobs, so very soon he will have his little operation! (I dread it!). I watch him carefully, and he is passing urine normally and not drinking all of it either! Regards from one very relieved ferreter!! [Posted in FML issue 3060]