Codo's visit to the vet turned out good as well as not-so-good. The vet determined that Codo has full use of only one leg (front left) and limited use of his other three legs (especially the hind legs). The cause seems to be neurologic; either he had a head/neck injury sometime during his life, he has a birth defect, or he has a tumor on his spine. No matter the cause and barring any obvious developing inflamation that can be treated by steroids, there is nothing we can do to treat him. The major good news is that no sign of pain can be found. He's seems to have dealt with his physical issues for a long time. Whether his condition will get better, worsen, or stay the same is unknown. I am just glad he was well enough to come home. Codo is healthy in all the other ways that matter (minus the ear mites). He is a small male weighing in at 2.13 lbs (but that's a healthy weight for his short length and small bone structure). He hung out between my jacket and my shirt for most of the trip out to the vet and PetCo (where I got those great crocks in the bird section that lock onto the cage that everyone emailed me about for Rhys) with just his head peaking out. I have never known a more watchful and alert ferret. I suppose that since he can't participate in as much activity as he would like -- not able to run from play area to play area, not jumping, not hopping, not climbing -- that he uses his eyes to observe closely everything more than most ferrets. Tomorrow will be devoted to re-designing the cage to better accomidate Codo. He will still be limited by his handicap to the lower levels of the cage, but I can make the ramps less steep and do a few other things for his comfort. Ear mite treatment will begin tomorrow too, when there's a second pair of hands to help. Thanks to everyone who sent their best wishes for Codo. Oh, and as soon as all the furkids get their rabies shots on May 9th, Rhys and Codo will officially become therapy animals at a local nursing home! [Posted in FML 6317]