Parasites: http://www.smartgroups.com/vault/ferrethealth/common_parasites.txt Christine, maybe people didn't respond because they just didn't know what it is. Not nowing is a typical cause for not ersponding. I don't know what it is, either. Ferrets, of course, do have blood in those veins but I can't picture what you mean or figure out what it might be. Folks here are very friendly, so I suspect that I am not the only one who just doesn't now. When in doubt or when in need see a vet; that is what we always also have to do. Hec, we are learning a lot about both the "when in doubt" and the "when in need" parts with Chiclet who is still just not recovering. (At least she isn't catching this virus I've got which is good becaue she is just so sick already.) BTW, which aliens? ;-) I didn't worry about Alexandria's post because I know that she, like Diane, Wolfy and some others, have the excellent and curteous practice of clearing joking first with the person who is the subject. (Been there esp. when the First Sukie stuff arose; received such requests...) I guess maybe if people don't realize that permissions are ased and granted it could be taken wrong, but rather than assume the worst or rather than stop such posts (which are hysterical) it would pay to first consider that perhaps permission had been gotten first, and those others who haven't thought about getting permission first now have a new useful tip to remeber. Alexandria just shared a joke because Kim who was the subject of it foudn the joke funny and wanted her to share it -- plain old everyday horsing around with loads of shared laughter (and it was hysterically funny, I thought, just as Kim also thought from what she said herself). Folks have got to let hair down now and then; it's fun and healthy. Sorry this is a mess; I feel ind of crummy right now. [Posted in FML issue 4195]