Hello everyone, Although I've subscribed to the list for months, I guess I am what is called a lurker. But I read faithfully and have learned so much from all of you. Last spring, my 5-year-old boy Weaz began to suffer the classic signs of balding and lethargy. We quickly confirmed what we were pretty sure of (adrenal gland disease) with our vet and scheduled surgery with our wonderful vet, Dr. Charlie Weiss in Bethesda, MD. During surgery we learned that both of Weaz's adrenal glands were affected, and that he also had insulinoma. He came home with many less tumors and body parts than he went in with, the poor guy! The first two weeks were rough. This was only the second surgery I had been through with my gang, and the fact that Weaz had to have so much done overwhelmed me. But it didn't seem to get to him at all. By the fourth day after surgery, my biggest concern was that he was TOO rambunctious and I was afraid he'd tear his stitches. We traveled some rough roads in the month or so that followed, but now, almost six months after his surgery, Weaz is more active and friskier than many five-year old ferrets I know. He goes to the vet for a check-up and hormone/steroid shot once every 4-5 weeks, but other than that his life is totally normal. You'd never guess he was a senior weasel who had survived a very complicated and extensive surgery. I feel I owe this to Dr. Weiss and to much of the wonderful information I got from this listserv on helping ferrets recuperate from surgery. Thanks to all of you. I've got five ferrets in all (and one, my Joey-Boy, who went to the Rainbow Bridge last October), and Weaz's sister Callie is beginning to go bald in the tail. She's coming along with Weaz next Saturday to meet Dr. Weiss. With five fuzzbutts of my own, I've always regretted that I don't have the financial resources to help the shelters in my area more. I've read much about the trouble many shelters are in over the last few days, and it touches my heart. I'm in the early stages of planning a ferret-related web site/newsletter/ezine, and will use it to the best of my ability to promote support of shelters and make people aware of all that they do. The least I can do is donate my time, and my abilities as I have them, to trying to help get the word out! Thanks for being here! Pam McInnis [Posted in FML issue 3526]