Hello fuzzylovers! :) I've been told that I don't post enuff on this list, and that I should post more, so I've been trying...how am I doing?? Just wanted to let you know about my experiences with descenting. My first and most beloved ferret, Tash, came to me as a completely unaltered hob. My x took him from a friend who saved him from going to the pound. I fell immediately in love, minus Tash's love for attacking feet and occasional nipping....nipping since fixed :). We think he was maybe 1 then, but aren't really sure. The x didn't take care of him much, so I 'adopted' him as my own. (It was my time, care/love and $ anyway!) Tash had already adopted me. Anyhoo, I kept him that way for several years....stinky and all....and let me tell you, a hob is STINKY! Tash is a good 6yrs old now (still guessing). His neutering was done not even a year ago, 12/21/99. That was easy, but due to a miscommunication with the vet, he only got neutered and not descented! I wanted both cuz he expressed himself rather frequently. So, after waiting to see the difference neutering would make on his smell, I went ahead and had him descented 9/26/00. This surgery was definately harder on him, but it is a more complex internal surgery around some VERY delicate parts! He didn't want to eat for a few days and lost a little weight, but with a bit of gravy and pampering he was just fine. PLEASE keep in mind, Tash was and is in exceptional health for his age. I am convinced it is because of his being a late neuter. He has the same awesome body tone of my 1.5yr old Tazzaroo, no floppy belly, and Tash is even stronger! I have been lucky with Tash and my other oldie, Smokey(5ish), who had his tail amputated the same day Tash was descented. Both are fine. *Please excuse if any of that sounds like Mommy bragging ;-) Look at your individual ferret, if you think he is healthy, he should be fine. If you don't feel secure in making that assessment, run up to a vet office before you leave and just ask them to take a quick look at him for you. The vets around here are pretty helpfull like that. Give yours a call and see if they can arrange something for you. I hope this is helpfull. Warmest wishes, and best of luck! Elke- me:) Tash, Taz, Smokey, &Valentine--the ferts, Tux&Precious-- the kibbies, Sweetie, Sunny&Gage-the organic lawnmowers, and Mortimer-- the iguana desperately seeking a new home. (Anybody know of a reptile list??????) and of course, exceedingly missing Willow. PS. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO SENT LETTERS CONCERNING WILLOW! Sorry I haven't said anything sooner, but it was difficult to read them all at first. I was amazed to find so many responses in my mailbox. You will never know how much that meant to me. I know that first request letter was a panic letter, I already knew what was going on. Blessings to all of you and your furkids. There is something to be said about healing tears. [Posted in FML issue 3236]