Condolences to all who have lost a beloved baby, prayers and best wishes to those who have babies who are ill. I have a couple of quick questions that I need answers and advice on so I may make informed decisions regarding my babies. First off, I have two girls, Pepper and Bubbles, ages 6 and a half and seven. They received their rabies innoculation back in November. I was going to take them in for their distemper shot the next week. In the meantime, they both came down with the dreaded "greenies". Some of you may remember me posting about it at the time. It took several months of intensive care to pull the babies out of their distress. It was the middle and end of January before they were back to being themselves. Needless to say, with them being ill, the distemper shot was put off until they were feeling well. Now, however, I am in a quandary as to whether to go ahead with the shot or not. They will be pre-treated before going in. I do this as a precaution with all the babies, whether they have had a reaction before or not. My girls have never had a reaction to the distemper shot. I know distemper is rearing its head in several locations right now. My vet knew of the one recent case in Florida and she told me there has been an outbreak in Tennessee as well. (I am in Alabama) I know the importance of vaccinating. I just would like advice from other ferret knowledgeable people on here who have dealt with ECE and how soon after their babies were better before they had them vaccinated for distemper. All thoughts and advice will be more than welcome on this. I am really concerned not only because of the ECE but also because of their age. Also, I am not taking the risk of distemper lightly. I just need input from others who have been in this position and what they did so I can make an informed decision. Sorry, this really wasn't in the form of a question! <smile> For the second question. I am recovering from a really bad head cold. I have stayed away from the babies as much as possible, but can't completely. How do you manage a furkid if they come down with an upper respiratory infection? Once again, I am mainly concerned about my two older ladies. Any thoughts on diets, medications, etc. will be greatly appreciated. On a happy note, I have to tell everyone about the fabulous boy my SO and I rescued over the weekend. His name is Simon ( the name Hot Rod that the previous owners had stuck on him, just didn't fit him). Simon is about two years old. A light sable. He does not like children. The folks that had him had kids that picked at him and then wondered why he would bite them! The food he was being feed was about as close to chicken mash as any I have ever encountered before. I am mixing a little of that in with the diet of Totally Ferret, Iams Kitten chow, and Supreme that I feed my other two boys. I am hoping to wean him off the other in a couple of days. He went to the vet on Monday. He got his distemper and rabies shots. He had not had any since the owners had had him. It is amazing to the vet and I how soft and thick his fur is. His teeth were in great shape and his ears looked great! We were totally surprised. I did treat him for fleas the night we brought him home. No sign of any parasite infections. He was also given Fruit Loops at his previous residence. Needless to say, that won't be on his diet here! I do give a couple of Cheerios once in a great while, but don't do treats that often. I don't even know if he has ever been around other ferrets. It will be interesting to see how he reacts when I finally introduce him to his new brothers, Calvin and Blake. That event will not happen for about another ten days. I am keeping him quarantined for two weeks before I do any introductions. This is a very loving and laid back young man, except for children. He is so full of love. Loves to cuddle as well. Just had to share some happy news on a very welcome addition to my furkid family. For the love of ferrets and the human hearts they hold, Barbara Pepper, Bubbles, Blake, Calvin, and Simon At the bridge waiting for us - Sneezy, Rascal, Rosey, Nosey, and Sophie [Posted in FML issue 4120]