I am still having problems with Jonesy. His surgery for insulinoma was last Friday 2/9/01. He dehissed and had emergency surgery again that evening. Sat. 2/`10 he had a tummy wrap applied which I removed that evening. He had labored breathing, pitting to his abdomen and buldging penis area, couldn't walk.. Dehydrated on Tuesday 2/13 even with forced Pedialyte and forced feeding of Hills AD and Gerber Chicken Baby food. Went back to the vet Weds. 2/14 in the am. They kept him and gave him IV fluids to rehydrate him. They have now used 3 of his 4 legs for IV's. He seemed a little better when I picked him up from the vets that afternoon. His eyes were no longer sunken and his skin turgor was better. They even gave him a bath before I could pick him up. (seems strange to me). They drew labs on him as follows: ALB 2.49 g/dl ALKP 32U/L ALT 40U/L AMYL 23U/L BUN 34.7 mg/dl Ca 7.84 mg/dl Chol 174.6 mg/dl Crea 0.69 mg/dl Glu 74.9 mg/dl Phos 4.06 mg/dl TBil 0.26 mg/dl TP 6.54 g/dl Glob 4.05 g/dl HCT 27.4 HGB 9.5 MCHC 34.7 WBC 9.6 Grans 3.7 % grans 39% L/M 5.9 %L/M 61% PLT 423 Retics 4.0% Vet finally noticed what I had seen ... hind leg weakness. Vet says it is "HIS CUSHINGS" that is causing this. He remains on 0.4 ml Prednisolone 2x/day and Cipro 0.2ml 2x/day. I am literally FORCE feeding with a syringe now..he has no appetite at all. Forcing water at feeding times also, although he will drink if you hold him to the bowl. He still does not act like a ferret, lays in your arms and stares at your face or goes to sleep. In the cage (returned him to large cage with his letter mates on Saturday to avoid depression) all he does is sleep. When I bring him out to play, he stays up for about 5 minutes and then just lays down to sleep. He is not able to walk on any floor without carpet. He refuses Nutrical..can't even force that one! Has no interest in anything anymore. I feel I am losing him and don't know what to do, or when to let him go. Anyone ever heard of Cushings in ferrets? Could this be caused by long term Pred use? Or by the adrenal disease that did not show up during surgery? An open heart patient is usually well enough to go home after 5 days with some semblence of self care, as well as being in rehab. I know that he is a ferret, but I did expect him to be better by now. Does it sound like he is dying to you? Is there ANYTHING else I should be doing for him? He is all skin and bones now..can count the ribs and each vertebrae of his spine. Couldn't begin to even guess at his weight and not sure I really want to know. I had been on a 5 day off stretch for the surgery, but I have to work 12 hour shifts the next 2 nights and my family can only do so much. They are good about medicating and feeding at medication time, but do not provide the constant care I do. I hate coming home in the mornings because I am afraid he will be dead. As you can see, I am an emotional wreck over this. ANY opininon, advise or suggestions are welcome. I really do feel he is dying and that he is only here right now because I refuse to let him go. (I have been accused of putting human emotions on him) . Thank you, Sue [Posted in FML issue 3330]