It has been a tough road these last two months since Pebbles was operated on to removed the lump on the front of her throat and was diagnosed with Cryptococcosis (a fungal disease). We've had her on a medication that is called Itraconazole. The most known side effect of this drug, is that it causes the patient to lose interest in food, and eating. As luck would have it my Pebbles was definitely going to prove that the Pharmacy was correct, and she started losing weight. I had to start having to push her to eat extra chicken gravy two or three times a day. She still was 4 ounces down from her original weight and was getting very lethargic. I talked with my vet, and asked questions of the FHL. Nothing helped. Then I remember Mary Conley having posted here a long time ago. I use herbs and vitamins for myself, and I listened to Dr. Murray at the Ferret Symposium and started my fuzzies on Melatonin Implants (and what a WONDERFUL difference!!!), and hear several Vets there talked about Milk Thistle being good for ferrets with liver disease. Soooo, why not see what Mary had. Well, a couple of days ago she posted about a product she makes called "Essence of Galanthus". My sweet Pebbles has been on this for over a month, and the difference in amazing! I continued to feed her chicken gravy two a day, gave her the correct amount of Vet prescribed Itraconazole, and I added drops of the Essence of Galanthus morning and night. I've stopped feeding the extra morning feeding, because she has gained over 5 ounces, and is wrestling and pinning down my almost 4 lb. boys!!! She is back to war dancing on her Daddy on the bed, and staying out and playing instead of hiding. Now, the vets all say that she will need to be on the Itraconazole for atleast another 5 or 6 months so that the fungus is totally gone. I do plan on finding out what is the right amount of drops so that she won't be a porker... but it has started her back to eating her kibbles and also eating her gravy without me forcing... I am ever so grateful to Mary for her continued assistance. I know that a lot of people on the FML tend to be very negative when herbs, etc are discussed. I've noticed in the last year or so that several long term, known ferret authorities and owners have openly been very biting an bitter when alternatives have been discussed. I'm hoping that these opinions will be put aside on behalf of the ferrets that we love. Ferrets have so little time with us that every day is precious. My name isn't known on this board, but those who know me know the absolute love and devotion I have for all fuzzies. I want to let you all know that Mary went out of her way to assistance and unknown ferret lover, and she did something that the vets couldn't do. Her dedication to ferrets is high, and her desire to help is nothing short of total devotion. Her prices are so reasonable, I'm astounded!! If you feel led to contact her, I'm sure she will be there for you also. Strange enough, after seeing how much better our precious Pebbles with Mary's tinture, even my husband is now more open minded. What a Blessing! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me .... Florence Love [Posted in FML issue 4481]