After we did some blood work which showed a cronic inflamatory process we decided to do exploratory surgery. The other option was medication. She wasn't eating and was starting to lose weight, she didn't want to get up and move around, and I didn't think we had time to try medications. They did the surgery on her last night and found a mass in the lumen (inside) of her small intestine. It would allow fluid by but nothing solid. They removed about 3 inches of the small intestine it was a long surgery 3 + hours. She had blood pressure problems during the surgery and her liver started to bleed. She survived the surgery but she didn't live through the night and passed away during the early morning hours at the vet hospital, I wish I could have been with her. She was a wonderful ferret and she is going to be missed. I used to called her my maple syrup girl because she smelled like maple syrup to me. At times like this I wonder if its worth it to have ferrets because when you lose one it tears your heart open. We have 10 other fuzzies and we'll keep and eye each, as I'm sure they will miss her too. They spent a lot of time today looking and searching. I know they were looking for their friend. I wish there was a way I could explain what happened to their playmate. Thank you for all the replies. They were appreciated. Mike [Posted in FML 6266]