I found this little bit of information while reading a site, (http://www.vin.com/PetCare/Articles/VetHospital/M00259.htm) Great site with lots of info! Im boning up as (with fingers crossed) I have been accepted to my Veterinary Assistant Program, starting in the fall! *** WOOOHOO!! *** This bit of information was in regards to people keeping HedgeHogs outside. *Honestly, I shudder at the thought of keeping a Hedgie outside!* But I can definately see how the same sort of situation could happen with a Ferret who was lost or left outside. ~If you keep your pet hedgehog outdoors, it can be exposed to fly larvae. One type of fly larvae, known as Cuterebra lays eggs around the cage door which then adhere to the hedgehog when it rubs up against this area. Each egg hatches into a single large larvae that burrows into the skin and continues to grow. You will see a large lump forming under the skin with a small hole at its tip, which is the larva breathing hole. These larva can be safely removed by your veterinarian. There is no aftercare needed once the larvae is gone and the hole it occupied is flushed with an antiseptic solution.~ Its pretty grotesque, but better to know about then be surprised -if- something like that ever happened, I figure. Hugs an Dooks Cheryl and the Crazy-Crazies [Posted in FML issue 3873]