This post is a little long, but I have so many questions. I have really appreciated the good advice that you have given me in the past. I have only ONE ferret and I know that is strange for this group. She is close to 9 years old now and completely blind. I took her to the doctor the other day. He noticed that she has swollen lymph glands. I thought it was just a little bit of fat under her arms and on her neck, but now that I think about it, I realize that she is very slim, you can't pinch an inch on her anywhere but she has these really flabby pouchy pockets especially in her armpits. He said that it doesn't seem malignant, because it is soft and mushy, but may be a precursor to lymphoma. Has anyone else seen this kind of swelling? Also, she was prescribed an antibiotic (CLAVAMOX .25cc twice daily) because he thinks she may have a kidney infection, peeing a lot, and making little grunting noises when she is trying to go. The medicine says to refrigerate, but it was left out last night and then I gave it to her this morning, now, late tonight, she has some diarrhea and no control. She pooped on me, but I know she didn't mean to, I didn't understand why she woke up and was so wiggly. Now I know, poor thing. Is this because the medicine is spoiled? Should I go and get another prescription? Other things that may have caused her diarrhea . the doc gave me some canned Hill's canine/feline a/d prescription dietary supplement food, for days when she doesn't eat so well. I gave her 10cc (2tsp) last night for the first time. Could this change in the diet just be too much? She has been eating pretty well since being on the antibiotic, so I probably shouldn't have given it to her anyway. He also told me to give her .50cc LAX 'AIRE daily, this has definitely caused loose stools, but not runny like tonight, but I'm not sure that she needs this daily. Also, she is grinding her teeth, coughing and gagging, mostly just when she is drinking water. I asked the vet about it and he said it is just old age senility. I asked him about prescribing Carafate, but he said that is only necessary if there is vomiting. I don't know what is causing this, but I think she must really be hurting, or nauseous to do this so much. It hurts me to watch it and she never drinks unless I help her, by hand. I do the finger under the water thing. Should I call him back and insist that I want to try something? Also, I think it is time to do some cage alterations. She has a 2 level and she is only in it at night. I hardly ever see her in the cage, because she is only there when I am sleeping, but I came in today and saw her roll down the ramp and land in a pile at the bottom. I realize now that she probably does this every night when she has to go to the bathroom. I felt so bad. She looked miserable. No wonder she sometimes goes to the bathroom upstairs these days. Does anyone have ideas of moderations that I can make so that the ramp is much more level, soft, padded or something, or is it time to block off and just use one level. She has no hind end strength at all. On a hard floor or newspaper in the bottom of her cage, her back legs will go straight out from under her. When she goes to the bathroom, it looks like she is doing the splits. (I am really not trying to be funny, just trying to describe what I am seeing.) I wonder if anyone can tell me what I can do to help make things a little easier for her. Also, she is completely blind and doesn't seem to be interested in any games anymore. Do you have ideas for any fun games that I can play with her? We used to play chase, I would squeak her toy and she would chase, but she isn't into it anymore. My husband says that it is time to let her go. I don't know what to do. I am not as experienced as so many of you and I haven't had to put anyone to sleep since the dog we had when I was just a kid. I really don't know how to tell when it is time. I know she doesn't play games or run around much anymore, but I love her. She likes to cuddle now days and she spends a lot of time with me, sitting on my lap while I am working, sometimes probably 4-6 hours per day. I have heard that as long as an animal is eating, then they are happy with their life. Does anyone have any advice for me? I feel very lucky that she has been with me this long and has been fairly healthy, but I just want to take really good care of her. I appreciate any ideas or thoughts to help me stay educated. I am still really searching for a good vet in Utah. This guy treats 'exotics,' but really doesn't seem to know much about ferrets. I keep taking her to different places, but it gets a little expensive to keep trying this vet and that vet and then another, and I just want to go to someone that I can really trust. *~** karyl**~* [Posted in FML issue 5142]