Not a good day for me today...or for my littlest one. I feel very guilty for putting two of my ferrets through this procedure. This morning, Cleo poofed and I could certainly smell it! I immediately called the vet to find out why she could still be doing this since her scent glands were removed nine days ago. He told me that sometimes there is some "residual scent" still in their systems, but certainly not after this period of time. I took her in, he sedated her and found that sure enough, some tissue was still left in her anal sphincter (I don't know the correct spelling). He operated right then and there and I just picked her up. She looks really bad down there but she is up and about and trying to run around. I am going to have to keep her away from the carpet so that she doesn't try to rub her bum and screw up her stitches. The vet told me that he has never had this happen before and was very concerned. Of course, no charge, but now I am worried that Dopey may experience the same. I feel so bad that I put her through this...twice. All day, all I could do is cry and pray that everything would be ok. She seems fine now, but having all those sutures looks really bad. I really feel awful for her and wish there was something I could do besides hugs, kisses and treats. My husband feels really bad also since he was the one who insisted they be descented. Mad at myself does not explain the extent of it. I am crying even as I type this. My poor little baby. On a happier note, I was able to get some pictures of them crawling in the christmas tree and I hope they come out ok. Once they are developed, I will probably enter them in the photo contest for Ferrets Magazine. I am sure that I will not be able to get any sleep tonight, and will be checking on her constantly. She did not want to go in the condo and wanted to play, but I felt she should rest. The others were trying to lick her bum, so I had to seperate her from them (great, more stress for her). I just don't want to take any chances, at least no more than I already have. Damn it! If anything more happens to her, I will lose it. She is my little baby. It also did not help that I opened my inbox and found a very nasty message from someone that I asked NOT to email me, many times. Very nice indeed, just what I needed today. Thanks. To everyone else, thank you for the kind thoughts that you have sent to me. Dooks to you and yours. [Posted in FML issue 3252]