There is one preventive measure I didn't see in your post regarding Brownie's experience of being overheated. You can use plastic soda bottles filled with water, capped, frozen and wrapped lightly in a towel to place in Brownie's cage to help cool him. I have done this on occassion with my ferrets when they are playing in their rabbit cage outdoors on hot days and it has worked out well for them. I keep the cage in the shade and add the icy, towel wrapped soda bottles as a cooling toy. My furkids have even curled up next to the bottle and fallen asleep. Of course I watch them constantly for any signs of heat stress and bring them back indoors if I notice any panting or other signs of distress. I also keep a plastic pan with an inch or so of cool water available for the ferrets to splash in. Sometimes I add ice cubes to this. Fans don't work with ferrets in the same way they do with humans, as ferrets don't have the ability to sweat. It is the action of the breeze from the fan evaporating the moisture from the perspiration on our skin that gives us humans the cooling affect we feel from a fan. I hope this helps you. Cordially, Greta Hoisington [Posted in FML issue 4176]