Prior to the arrival of the Utah kids, I truly expected to see many behavioral problems due to the awful conditions these poor kids had to live in for long, confined in small carriers, no time out for play or exercise, very little if any human contact, no medical care and we can only guess at other conditions. Instead, they are the most loving ferrets and definitely let you know how grateful for the least bit of affection and tlc. As you know, the majority were very sick on arrival and continued to get sicker with coccidia, upper respiratory infections, stress and most likely grief over losing buddies. It's taken awhile with lots of tlc, nursing and meds but they've almost all become playing, bouncing ferrets as they should be. A couple that I didn't expect to make it have totally turned around. Shelley was on deaths door, bloody poops and "out of it". Jack, the old guy with one testicle is putting on muscle mass and loves my soup. Kramer, another old one with the inoperable tumor on his head, enjoys being out, getting a treat and loves his pred. He knows just "the look" to give me when he wants his treat. Pebbles with the very bad heart and no muscle mass is starting to "wobble" around. Two kids, Moose and Zach have not done well. Moose was a big, old guy that continued to feel worse. He had an ugly mast cell tumor on his neck which didn't account for him feeling so bad. He'd been grinding his teeth so we had him on carafate, amoxy and Pepto. Since last night, Moose would whimper when I'd gently pick him up to feed or cuddle him and his breathing had become labored. I felt he was in pain, that there was something very serious going on with him and he wouldn't be able to have surgery. Zack, a small sable guy, had also been grinding his teeth and had a mast cell tumor on the top of his head. Neither would eat kibble except when out in the den a few times, Zach would eat a couple of bites then "snap" at anyone who tried to eat or drink with him. Both would curl up in a little bed and not move again. Today, they were scheduled to have their tumors removed along with Genny who had a chordoma on her tail. On exam, nodules could be felt on Moose's huge spleen. He also had a non-compressible chest indicating a mass in his chest which was probably lymphosarcoma. I'm sure at least half his weight was the spleen. Zach's liver function's were off the chart, in full liver failure, anemic, no platelets and his blood wasn't clotting. There was a large, hard mass in his abdomen. My vet felt he had cancer somewhere that had spread to his liver. With his blood not clotting, there's no way he could have surgery even if part of his liver was able to be removed. I'd been trying to build all of them up prior to surgery with soup and a lot of extras added to it but it didn't work for Zack. Genny's tumor was removed and is being sent out for pathology to make sure all of it was removed. She's doing so good. She danced her first dance yesterday and played with me this morning. Felt awful putting her through the pain when she's finally feeling good but the tumor needed to come off. Sadly and with tears, I decided to let Zack and Moose go in peace and with what dignity they had left. I'm grateful for the kisses Moose gave me this morning and sweet Zack lying his head on my shoulder. I had a feeling Moose was going to have bad news but did have hope we could help Zach feel better. I wish these guys had gotten here in time to give them a chance at being ferrets again. Hopefully, in the short time they were here, they knew they were loved. More pieces of my heart went with them. Casper has a new mast cell on his belly but he's doing really good so decided to wait for his surgery. There's still 5 kids with adrenal surgery needed before they can be adopted unless someone is willing to take them and get the surgery. There's a few I'd like to have blood workup's done on. Some badly need teeth cleaning including two Lynn Siegel has. We also suspect insulinoma on Toby and Smokey who Lynn has, so they need blood work done. Taco Loco, one of the single guys, got his toe caught in a chair last week, breaking a toe and the bone in front of it. Poor guy hates being confined but you'd never know anything was wrong with him. This was my fault and I do feel very guilty. I know and preach that recliners and ferrets don't mix. No one was allowed to sit in the chair when ferrets were out or books were propped under it so it couldn't move, yet I do know it's dangerous even in the same room. These guys really need homes. I can give them a lot of love, good care, cuddles and kisses but there's too many here to give each one the individual attention they so badly need. Two and possibly four may be going on to new homes this weekend but that still leaves many needing permanent homes. Most of the remaining kids are older and do have health problems. If I could provide all they need including medical care, I'd love to keep them all here. The bittersweet part about sheltering is bonding with each one then letting them go. Yet it's a great feeling knowing they've gone into a loving, permanent home. I know so many of you have given generously for the Utah kids and I'm ashamed to ask for more but these kids need continued help with their medical problems to be whole and healthy again. They certainly deserve the chance. Donations can be sent either to my vet, SOS, or to me. Jackie Hawley The Dook Nook Ferret Rescue & Shelter 5226 Collins Road Jacksonville, FL 32244 or PayPal: http://www.paypal.com/ using my email address: [log in to unmask] Riverside Animal Hospital 2641 Park Street Jacksonville, FL 32204 SOS Judith White 1236 Belfield Avenue Drexel Hill, PA 19026-4211 Or PayPal: http://www.paypal.com/ using SOS email address: [log in to unmask] A dear friend is offering a 12 Days of Christmas wreath for fuzzies: http://dooknook.homestead.com/holiday.html plus there's a link to some pictures of the kids here. I hope you can find a place in your heart and home for "just one more kid". Hugs to all, Jackie [Posted in FML issue 3588]