Well, the little guy went in to have a LARGE mast cell tumor (probably the reason the owners dumped him, since no one's responded to the "lost ferret" ads) removed the day before yesterday. By last night, calling the AAWL president to report on the critical 1st 24 hours, I was pleased to report the following: Were it not for the shaved patch and the staples, I'd swear all they did was give him mega vitamins! He's doing great! Eating, drinking, pooing (a little ECE yet, but shedding quickly) & VERY much wanting to play! More affectionate than ever, too. My husband ... tolerant but not at all a ferret person, has fallen totally in love with the little guy, named "Tinker" before going in for surgery (`cause you've GOT to have a real name before something like THAT ... and that's the first thing that popped to mind as I held him up and we gazed at each other ... that and "Jasper" ... but Jasper just isn't as cute. So ... he is getting (at my expense, not AAWL's) ADV tested BEFORE I tell AAWL that we want to adopt him. NO WAY am I exposing Da Mukster or Mr. Jelly Roll to problems! MUST give massive thanks to Dr. Bruce Williams who took time out from a very busy schedule to listen to his messages andr teturn my call about ECE the other day. Turns out Tinker most likely does have it (from neon green to bird-seedy to gold-goo), but is recovering VERY quickly and Muki & Jelly aren't in a hi-risk group. Thank you Dr. Bruce! To me you're not a DVM, you're GVM (GOD of Veterinary Medicine!). I'll keep y'all updated! Peri [Posted in FML issue 4198]