I want to clarify a couple things about extending your baby's life. First, be sure it is not in pain. If it is in pain, be sure you can get/keep it out of pain. Most vets will be cooperative. Talk about this, when you have your ferret in for its exam & tests. Its comfort is what it's all about. Look for the little things---Is it still grooming itself? Does it still want to eat? Even if it's for shorter periods of time, does it still knock its ball around a bit, or go through its tubes? A vitamin B complex injection is most helpful with many of the debilitated ones. Our last vet, Dr. Durst, turned us onto this. It seems to help them utilize every scrap of nutrients you can get into them, seems to increase appetite a bit, and also seems to ward off depression a bit. There are different manufacturers, and the ingredients are different in some of them--If anyone is interested in what we are using, and how often, I will share. The subQ fluids (lactated Ringers) is an amazing tool. A dehydrated ferret just doesn't want to eat, most of the time. (No eat--no live!!!) Most of the time, within minutes, one will accept its soup after fluids. Its eyes will brighten, and it just plain FEELS better! Now---I know someone out there will write & dispute this one for some reason or another--but for us, it works. We have also found it helpful sometimes, to add a small pinch (NOT MUCH!) of plain sea salt to their soup for a few days. We have one of those little grinders, and a small twist is enough. They appear to like the taste, and It seems to help them hold onto their fluids a bit. We like Pet Tinic. We add it to the sick ones' soup, morning & night. (Dosage varies by weight & malady) Great stuff. For the ones with mouth ulcers (a common reason some of them stop eating) we like famotodine (Pepcid AC) If anyone is interested in how we mix ours & use it, we will share. We play music for them. (SOOTHING music--not the loud stuff LOL) Hilary Stagg is great music to heal to. I love his stuff--but if you don't -- just turn it on for them & leave the room for a while LOL. We brew & use essiac tea for some of our worst cancer patients (We don't use the pre-bottled stuff) Results have been good. Ask your vet about a low dose of prednisolone to slow the growth of some tumors, and to reduce inflammation. We have several with lymphoma & inoperable tumors etc. here at Zoo's Ferret Sanctuary, and they still toddle happily around the room when it's their turn to play. We can't change what is happening to them--but we can change the WAY they spend their last months, weeks, or days. Every day is as comfortable & joyful as possible. They're still having fun! Lisette's Mini Me used to terrorize everyone in her home. I understand Mini Me attempted to scruff & drag Princess Ralphina this morning, just like old times. Nope---This doesn't sound like a ferret who's ready to die, just yet! As for volunteers--I work right alongside ours! We wash, dry, & fill food & water dishes, sweep floor & spot treat corners, hand off litter boxes (one retrieves, one dumps, washes,one fills with litter & returns), wash hard toys (like tubes & buzz balls), cut N-bones into thirds, cut fabric softener sheets into halves, & strip & dress cages. On Saturdays, Gregg scrubs the floor. After you're comfortable enough with your volunteers,(and they are comfortable with the ferrets!) let them get down on the floor & play with the fuzzies. THIS is part of volunteering too--and it's an excellent time for you to educate them. and lastly, we have a good snack. (Feeding your helpers is optional, but it shows gratitude--and we are very grateful for help!) Never forget to say thank you, both to the volunteers, and the One who sent them to you.. Love, Zoo. [Posted in FML 5804]