Zoe came to us from folks who just had a baby and couldn't take care of her anymore. She was greatly loved, but they thought it best to be able to get her the extra love etc. that she deserved. She was so sweet, and oh so bouncy at a tender age of 6 months. We love her bunches! at the age of about two, she started to develop a chordoma in an odd spot, one inch from her bum, We realized that it would need to be taken care of, as some chordomas can go cancerous. This meant tail amputation, as it was so close to her bum. the surgery went well, but it was evident that she knew something was different, and that she was missing something. She was on antibiotics for two weeks, and a pain killer for about 5 days Our vet did a wonderful job. the surgery in itself being successful, the tail was sent for biopsy which turned out negative Yeah Zoe! Zoe was touchy about her back end, and we have modified how we hold her in order not to put pressure on her stump. She also gets touchy at other ferts who take too much interest in her "nub". She knows her tail is no longer there, and she knows it makes her different. It has been about a year, now, and Zoe has gone about being just like all other ferts. No one is allowed to touch the nub, she dances and fluffs and makes like she is going to attack you. Though I do not believe it bothers or hurts her, I do not allow anyone to mess with the nub. If it happens, it's usually accidental, while playing with her. Are we done with this? No. there is a possibility of another chordoma or another problem later on with the amputation site. all appears fine so far, but I have our vet watch her anyway.... by the way, she's a little sable and she looks like a little bear (which is her nick name) with her tail gone! She still will bottle brush the bit of tail left, and then it looks like a bunny tail Cindy (not a vet) and the Slightly Used ferret gang [Posted in FML 7030]