Barbara, I've recieved a lot of replies to this privately in addition to the replies on the FML. I am floored at how many options and various meds their are to choose from. One thing stands out, and that's that different ferrets can react differently to various methods sometimes. An important consideration is time, which is exactly what you pointed out. No matter what method you choose, the more time the better. It seems like when it's rushed is when I see problems. Even if it is a heart stick. Take the time in sedating (or od'ing really) the ferret, and it seems to me there is less reaction to the mercy shot. Seems like that was across the board with responders (and many of them did not realize it). The method you just wrote about is not one that I've heard about. So gosh, yet one more to think about. I think one thing that I'm going to do, is get a tranquilizer like Danee suggested or the drug that you use, and give it at home first. Enough to knock him out a bit at home, in our arms. Then we can drive to the vet without him even knowing. Then the vet can do whatever it is that they want to do, which is usually two more steps (a sedative, then some sort of injection). It seems gentler and slower that way. What's more, I never have held a pet during the process. That would make it less clinical to Sean if he could hold Rocky so I'm going to remember to request this. This is a great conversation. I never knew that there was so much to learn. Wolfy http://wolfysluv.jacksnet.com [Posted in FML issue 4878]