Dear Ferret Folks, and ESPECIALLY Gerri, Who wrote yesterday that Donna had sent her a lovely, appetizing bag of cornstarch packing chips to much on, and that she "didn't find out until the next day what they were, when I was asking her what in the world those things were. She's still laughing, and I think I have a blockage." Gerri, waste no time. Blockages area serious matter. Run out and get yourself a few tubes of hairball remedy, NOW. I don't know what your build is, but read the instructions carefully, and adjust for your personal weight. The traditional method is to lick a little of it up from a spoon, but given the weight adjustment, you might want an ice cream scoop. In a pinch, some vaseline or petroleum jelly will do. Raisins will help, ever meet a constipated ferret? I haven't. If you find that you are straining when you back up to the pan over the next few days, call your vet. (If your HMO allows that.) Sincerely (tasteless) Alexandra in Massachusetts [Posted in FML issue 4168]