Release Statements before vaccinations: I've had some physicians require them and others not do so for the same types of vax, so it does happen but is variable, Russ, and not just with flu shots, either. I have noticed that those least likely to require them have more of the "old country doctor" approach to such things. (Hey, I know "old country doctor"; I was shown how to do an emergency stoma surgery on my kid sister after a bad sting when I was just in junior high -- that would be several years over 40 years ago now. Gads, my 40th high school reunion is in a few years. BTW, do many kids or young adults in the U.S even know what junior high was anymore? Now everything is middle school around here with the age divisions different. :-) Gads, I am getting old... How the heck did that happen? I like the calmness it can bring, though. So much in life is pretty well peripheral or non-essential, actually. Not nitty gritty. Companies which don't hire older workers lose the money saving and time saving power of that knowledge and the experience on which it is based. But, I am tired, and rambling because I have worked hard recently, slept too little, and do have such luxury here, and other FML members know exactly what I mean. Besides, Bill will trash it if it should be trashed and I'll respect him on that score. No prob. It's book. Didn't think I knew that word use did you young'uns? Bet you don't know that I know "Sukie in the Graveyard" or who suggested my name (but only my name not context), either -- which is really, really book. LOL!) I want to thank Anthony for taking the time to read carefully enough to know what I was saying and then responding in such a well worded, fair, and kind way. Your post was a breath of fresh air on Tuesday, Anthony! I also want to thank, Deva, for her incredibly sweet words on Wednesday. It is good to know that I sometimes manage to achieve what I so often set out trying to do: providing information while respecting the intelligence of the people reading it and their own abilities to investigate further if needed, and to make up their own minds. I have periodically been chastised off list by some who don't share my high opinion of the intelligence and industriousness of the FML membership, but I'd rather think better of people's abilities and then tackle questions if they arise than talk down to them. I know the people here can and do pull out dictionaries if I forget myself or shortcut my vocabulary, I know they can look at their keyboards when I type "sunset" instead of "subset", and I know they can -- and will -- make their own judgments. My high opinion of the membership is one of the main reasons why I have remained here (besides my dear friends among the membership some of whom I know well face to face and others whom I have worked with or shared with -- often for many years --despite not meeting face to face, Bill's hard work, and the chances to learn and laugh and cry together) and why I have been here consistently from the birth of the FML. I am here because most of the people here are wonderful. I promised Christine yesterday that I would remind people of the dangers of blockages if I was awake enough to remember too do so. Blockages tend to be the most common horrid medical surprise of newbies who have under-estimated ferret proofing, or have provided latex or rubber toys, or have given dried fruits or veggies, or... Anyone can himself of herself facing a blocked ferret, though. It might be an unpassed and huge furball, or a found eraser, or a fallen equipment thingie* (the rubber pieces at the bottom that buffer them when set down), or the thingies* that stop counter doors from banging, or one who likes to eat in bed may have a "fur" ball that is mostly fake fleece (documented by a few vets and owners who bothered to check content), or a ferret may have decided to devour a used sock (having had one who suddenly was able to poop true green after getting a petroleum based laxative. A new area probably poses the greatest risk. Either you have way too much to do, or it would be impolite to get down on your stomach and look around to find risk factors (not only for blockages) and open cabinets looking for loose "thingies", but ferrets can suddenly try something new even in a place you have already ferret proofed. (That is why my medications are actually in a locked metal lockbox the same as one would do with a child.) Complete blockages can cause a build up of toxins if they exist for over 48 hours, sometimes less, meaning that sometimes even then surgery might not succeed, but it should be tried anyway. Foreign bodies that have been ingested can cause perforations which can be fatal, and some can poison. A moving stomach partial blockage can run the stomach raw and necessitate ulcer medication. Christine, thank you in your time of pain to want to turn your suffering into a way for others to learn. That is a generous gift to everyone. Oh, everyone, oils do NOT help move those blockages which will respond to meds, in fact, oil is hard to digest so it actually slows passage except when it is given in very copious amounts, and then it causes very loose diarrhea which may be too loose (bird seedy usually in this case) to pull things along. The gentlest effective treatments are petroleum jelly based. Mineral oil works but tends to cause painful cramping too often. To work the meds can not be digestible. [Posted in FML issue 5162]