> Circulation: 211 Moderator: Chris Lewis So we've cracked the 200 mark, eh? Is this cause for celebration, Chris? Or should I start worrying that yo can't afford us anymore? ;-) [I'm not sure yet. On the other hand, to send this, I have to send out almost 60 copies at 40K apiece. It's about $4. This is the biggest article I've ever sent...] Seriously, welcome to all the new people -- you've found a wonderful resource. Chris provides a great service for us here. (I was going to warn 'em about your tendency toward tyranny <wink, nudge> but let 'em find out for themselves! :-) [It's "Tyrannical Dictator" if you please! ;-)] Jeffrey Singman -- as far as I know, ferrets are legal throughout Missouri. If there are individual localities there that ban them, I don't know about them. I'm sure somebody must. Chip? Zarlengtp -- when your carpet shark is asleep, take away his little ferret assault rifle. That'll mess him up! Oh, and what do we call you besides Zarlengtp? Paul Bodmer -- you've come to the right place to find out about ferrets! Check the message at the top of this list for the listserver address -- you can get back issues of the FML and find out more than you ever want to know! :-) And, yes, New Hampshire is no longer a Ferret Free Zone. (yeah!) Seth Morabito -- ditto what I said to Paul. Except you should know that New York State requires a permit to own ferrets. I hope you don't live in NYC when you're not at school -- ferrets are currently illegal there (though they may not be much longer -- Jeb, any news?) Mark Ouellette, Tom Hall and Shawn Box -- ditto above. Tom & Shawn -- what's the current legal status of ferrets in Maine? Someone said they'd heard ferrets were recently banned there, but I never saw this confirmed or denied. Chris Tabaka -- You made it! Welcome to the FML! Jennifer Au -- glad to see you back with us! We've missed you! Now my news -- Molly has developed an enlarged vulva. Yes, I am sure she was neutered properly as a kit; she is four years old, and I'm sure she would have had problems before otherwise. Anyway, I took her to the vet Saturday, and he seemed satisfied that this was not due to improper neutering. He concluded that she has vaginitis and prescribed .5 ml of Clavamox twice a day for 10 days, and we're to notify him if anything changes or it gets worse. Her behavior is normal, though we noticed last night that she is rubbing her bottom more after she poops. (The vet had asked if we'd noticed any peculiar behavior after she urinates, which we haven't.) [Mocha was over 5 before she had the same problems. The vet decided, after reading about Cushings to try a 3 shots of HCG spaced a week apart first to rule out traces of ovarian tissue. He really didn't want to try a splenectomy. Cleared up on the third shot. Has happened twice so far.] If anyone can add anything, please let me know. For instance, are there any problems with Clavamox and ferrets? He always gave Bandit amoxycillin, but he told me Clavamox is a broader-spectrum antibiotic (It's amoxycillin with an additional medication in it). FWIW, while Bandit looooved the bubblegum flavor of Amoxy-drops, Molly HATES the banana-flavored Clavamox -- we have to mix it with Nutrical (what would we do without it??) before she'll take it. Also, Bandit had what may be his last chemo shot this weekend (it was a busy weekend for Fritz-Lang ferrets visiting the vet!). We're going to be scheduling an ultrasound for him this week (we hope) -- cross your fingers that it's clear. If it is, Dr. Jeglum will be stopping the chemo and we'll start weaning him off Prednisone. Whew! Bandit's become SUCH a snack hound again, it's both incredibly cute and infuriating! He will come into the kitchen and just STAND there, looking at us until we notice him, and then he stands up on his hind legs, begging. And he won't go away until he gets a tortilla chip or a grape. What a mooch! Sigmund seems to be bent on proving something, but I don't know what. We have to keep all the toilet seats closed, or he will jump in. And if you open the refrigerator door when he's anywhere near, he will jump into the refrigerator! Lastly, Jeff had his lap desk leaning against the couch the other day, and caught Sigmund in the act of running up the incline and doing back flips! Maybe he's training for the ferret pentathalon? Katie & Jeff, Bandit, Molly, Charlie, Pogo & Sigmund -------------------------------------------------- Katie Fritz Small Mammals Section Leader/CompuServe Pets Forum Internet: [log in to unmask] CIS: 71257,3153 [Posted in FML issue 0443]