Hello All, Firstly, everyone with a sick fuzz or who have recently had a Beloved cross the bridge, my heart and tears as well as many thoughts and prayers are with you all! I am a avid reader of the FML, and am thankful to have found a bunch of people who love there ferts as much as I do. My greatest gratitude to you all that have given me advice or opinions, you are all life savers. Some of you know me, however many of you don't...I have 2 boys Buddy- Sable - 1year and Louis unusual - White head and feet with a grey body and tail- 10 months & deaf :-) ( my challenged precious package of love) he is such a wonderful fert while Binks can be my problem child at times! LOL! I have been owned by ferts for over 10 years but went 4 long years without being blessed with there presence. As most of you know, things have changed in the past 10 years with ferts........ This past year after getting Buddy at the most difficult and saddest time of my life ( dealing all by myself with the loss of my sister Sherry to Breast Cancer) Buddy has been the biggest blessing/joy God could give me, I can honestly say that my Binkerman ( one of Buddy's many pet names), has lifted my spirits when they were lower than ever imagined with his crazy dances or just with his tremendous amount of compassion and company when I had no one which was incredible especially considering ferrets mentality, go go go! and has just given me the security that knowing there is someone still who counts on you whether he is a human or not, in my case a fert. Months after getting Binks, I saw Louis in the pet store, which again was love at first sight, I brought him home, they are the best of friends ( back stabbers to one another, at times,lol) but friends. To make a long story short, they are truly my family, now and I will do whatever it takes to give them and any others that might join the family the happiest /healthiest life possible for the time they are with me. Now maybe I am a narcotic, crazy, obsessive person but my ferts mean the world to me. I read the FML on a daily basis, and learn tons of information that will help me be a better ferret mom :-). What my main concern here is.....there are so many illnesses, signs of illnesses that these guys get and show, what if I am not seeing something I should. I think that I am quite observant of my ferts health and behavior, and ensure that they get a lot of play time and exercise at least 5 times a week we go for what I call the Ferret-athon, that is when I take them for a run down the hall in my apt. building, they run like the wind and jump and play after one another and for a walk outside, which I think is great exercise and can be a way to notice if one is feeling under the weather. I have read as much info as I can possibly get on ferts as well as all the info. I have learned from all of you, not to mention the fact that I also have had ferts before. So I feel I am quite the attentive mom and do spend a tremendous amount of time with them therefore enabling me to be able to notice any drastic change in behavior or heal Now I know that there is no direct or simple answer to this question but I find that I am constantly concerned and at times think that my ferts show symptoms of some of the posts, however, they seem perfectly healthy but I do worry that it might be me over-seeing something......for example with there poops, I do make sure to monitor there poops, for signs, however, ferret poops to me are always different, sometimes full while other times smaller but are the majority of the time solid, I have never noticed a change in there eating habits and if at times I am worried, I will test there appetite by offering them a raisin or something I know they can't turn down, and watch as they eat it as well as drinking . There has never been any vomiting, which I now is cause for serious concern. Pees are normal, however, can be darker in yellow at times which has made me think that one can have a urinary track infection Louis sometimes will have no regard for where he pees but that I think is him just being a kit and only happens sometimes. Straining I have never noticed as far as I know, they always seem to make a face while going to the bathroom, but I have seen Louis go to the litter, step out and try and go in the corner with out one, but I just put him back in the litter and the majority of the time he will potty there or just plain on go back and we go through the steps again, he is a slower learner than Buddy, I am not sure if this is associated Louis being deaf. There has been 2 or 3 times where I have noticed a piece of towel from there bed in their poops but did not worry to much cause eating, drinking and bowel movements and activity has never changed. I do have FerretLax for times that I think they might need it. . Other than that they are crazy ferrets who constantly wrestle and play with one another or me. I also make sure we go to the vet every 4-6 months for a health check, just to be safe. Anyway, what my concern is and sorry to be so drawn out in my post but I thought I would be more helpful to explain my concern.........I am frequently worried about them and their health, I am always concerned that I am not noticing something that I should and getting medical attention sooner rather then letting it get worse. The thought of losing one of them because of my neglect or oversight would devastate me. I am quite aware that ferrets are not the easiest animals to live with and care for and do have more health problems which in turn I have prepared myself financially to be able to do what ever it takes to give them what ever medical attention is needed. When I said that these ferrets are the world to me, I truly do mean it, there is not a day that goes by that the anticipation of going home to see them is not there, they in all honesty bring me the smile, laughter and friendship that for quite a long time did not exist in my life. I firmly believe that they and all ferrets and animals who are loved and given the security of being able to trust their humans are literally Life's Little Angels sent down to bring us happiness. Let me get to the point...... So if there, Is any advice that anyone can give me on recognizing underlying problems or illnesses or at least some helpful detailed rules or major detailed signs that might be able to put my mind at ease ( most books or references are too vague or do not explain in detail). It at times can concern me greatly, and I just want to be safe with a piece of mind. I hope that some of you understand where I am coming from and don't think that I am completely insane, any personal guidelines etc. would be most appreciated. I do value you many of your opinions and suggestions. Thanks for letting me get this off my mind,Once again, sorry for the lengthy post, and I hope you all have a wonderful day! Give all your fuzz butts a kiss for me. Thanking you in advance! Kindest Regards, Stacey and The Boys [Posted in FML issue 3187]