We've had several ferrets infected with the Bot fly larva here in New Hampshire. The latest was a ferret that was found outdoors. The woman who found the ferret wanted to keep her, and did so for several days. She noticed several sores on the ferret's side and neck, so she took it to a local vet for treatment. The vet thought it must have been caused by a bite from a wild animal, possibly rabid, and reported it to Public Health and the local animal control when the woman refused to have the ferret killed and tested for rabies. Instead she rushed the ferret to our shelter. We took the ferret to our shelter vet, Dr. Dutton, who removed the larva and gave us some antibiotics to prevent infection. Then, we had to reassure Public Health and animal control that the ferret had not been bitten by an animal. Thank goodness the woman had more sense then her vet. Dick B. [Posted in FML issue 3873]