Since I have been caring for just the sick and elderly, I have had an opportunity to observe some behaviors, however subtle, that I would like to share and get opinions on. Most of the ferrets when they are still in the early stage of their disease process and feeling fairly well, they seem (all are individually different) to be their normal selves, being aware of their surroundings, wanting attention, responding to being picked up, spoken to, played with, and so on. As it progresses, of course they show the typical signs of not feeling as good. Aside from that, I've noticed that they are squirmier when being held and they seem to be less aware of their surroundings as if somewhat...distant or distracted. They run around as if they have somewhere to go but in truth, it's aimless wandering until they tire out or find an acceptable place to be. The one example that comes to mind is a naked boy found wandering in someone's yard. I had him for a few months and that's all he did was wander from one end of the house to the other until he couldn't go any longer. When he died, his body was riddled with cancer and the vet was astounded that he had lived to this point. Since then, I have had many ferrets do the aimless wandering beginning weeks to months before their death. I wish I could afford necropsies on all so I can take that experience and knowledge to the next one but it's not realistic so I have to make choices. Are there other shelters who allow their ferrets to free roam? I'm guessing this is really the only way to know about the "wandering" behavior or else volunteers would have to find it worthy of discussing with each other. Usually the ferrets here are in a room with their toys, beds, cages, hammocks and such. But the the "terminals" I'll coin them, are out into the main part of the house where they can wander and pretty much do whatever makes them happy until they quietly pass away in their sleep or need to be put down. This is how I've been able to notice the aimless wandering. So my concern really is, even though they are still eating, alert, walking and not showing "typical" signs of pain, could whatever the disease process is - whether insulinoma, adrenal, lymphoma and on and on, could they be so uncomfortable, that they can't be still? They are all being medically treated for their diseases and seen by the vet as needed. Could the medication cause side effects to the point of this type of discomfort? The last thing I would ever want to do is prolong their suffering. Appreciate your thoughts. [Posted in FML 5729]