Rather than putting Bandit on an ice pack, why not put him in a
precooled cooler with some towels to lie on.  If you keep the lid
cracked he will get air and the coolers do a pretty good job over
short periods.  Some also come with small trays which hold the
ice packs above the contents which would help keep Bandit cool
without actually freezing him by direct contact.  Good luck to
Bandit and all the other sick ferrets recovering out there.
 
                        -- Mike
 
[Posted in FML issue 0256]