Dear FML'rs Just read about Troy Lynn, and am elated, this woman has been a blessing to me. Since my Odysseus has taken ill (hind quarter weakness to no use of them at all), she has talked / advised me through his treatment! My phone bill should be out of this world next month? Who cares, she seems to be more interested in Odies care, than his own vet? I w/not remark much about that. Odie is on baytril which seems to have perked him right up, he had cbc blood draw, to indicate w/results of chronic renal failure (we have taken care of w/sub q's, administered @ home), and the prednisone for the insulinoma that showed up on the test results. It has been nearly 2 wks now, and signs are good, but...he still cannot walk, i am considering some sort of cart for my little old fellow, as he does like to get around and is very independent when he is awake (spending most of his time sleeping @ present, w/us in bed @ night & in the papasan chair by day) This from a little old fellow that was given a death sentence from his vet the weekend i brought him in. Odie has been through surgery for bloat a summer ago, he pulled through that, i hope that he can come through this, too. WE WILL GO BACK TO SEE HIS VET & SHOW HIM! Vet was surprised when he had 2nd visit as to his weight gain, and health improvement, but he is still critical to some degree? Currently i am rather dissappointed in his vet care, but i w/stick it out, since he is already familiar w/the case, BUT, if another opportunity arises that i can find a vet willing to work w/me for all the ferts that i have in my care, i w/be glad to change. I do not post much on fml, most have been to request prayers, but have always cried over the losses, rejoiced in the advances, and prayed for you all. I want to thank everyone who has kept my Odie in their prayers, while we are battling this affliction. He never did play much wnen i got him, he was already beyond the youthful stage, but i did not mind. Odie has always been a very special fellow to me, he is so patient, and looks at me, w/understanding when i talk to him. When he had his emergency surgery for bloat, the vet gave me 3 options, intubate to relieve some of the gas, do the (humane? thing) and put him down, or do the surgery, i had only had him 6 months? I looked the doctor on call that day, and told him to his face "Odie w/let me know when he is ready to die, u can do the surgery". He pulled through that one, i can only pray that he comes through this. He tires easily, but when u have 2 legs doing the work that is to b done by 4, what can you expect. When we have love for animals, we also have a respect for life itself. It tells u a lot about other people, u learn a lot by reading, observing and listening. i still have a lot to learn about ferret care, and i had better get busy, as i have welcomed into my home and life 2 more little girls, Lily and Poppy. They are happily sleeping in my Tigger jacket in my bedroom closet and Lily has taken to licking my face off :0) she wouldn't give kisses to me, but would lavish them on my husband when she first arrived. I think there are 2 very spoiled or soon to b spoiled little girls in this house, but as long as they are healthy and happy, who cares. Loved the poopie poem, i printed it and hung it on my fridge, w/25 ferrets to care for what can i say? My daughter says i am a true ferret mommy, when i am checking poopies for signs of ? she who told me to rescue not buy anymore ferrets, and brings me home one for Valentines Day, Epimetheus...the blaze w/a curl to his lip...short and stubby, but sweet right along w/all my other prescious babies. Take care, i should send now, before i rattle on some more. Keep Odie in your prayers, he is a sweetheart. Thanks Donna and all [Posted in FML issue 3422]