FERRETFAN@AOL Hi fellow AOLer! I can't seem to remember your name appearing in the Pet section...do you post there? There are three folders, and ferret posts at least 3 to 1 over the next pet (dogs?)......we support the largest pet message base! About ANF TAMI food, without Ethoxyquin, can I get an address or phone number. I'd like to find a mil-order or CA-based distributor. Thanks MATTHEW G HARTL<HARTL@BADLANDS You should know that many vets disapprove of the early age at which Marshall Famrs alters their animals. EVERY vet I have heard speak or talked to (directly or through friends) says you should alter ferrets no earlier than 6 months (Marshall does it from 3-4 months, I understand). Heck, Fred went 7 months because he didn't "drop" ("searching them out" before they drop is dangerous and not fool-proof). I'd rather get my animals intact, thanks, so I can be sure they are done properly. [soapbox off] As for descenting, same applies, but I think this is personal preference. It is expensive, and some feel it does help their scent (in males). Many people say it makes no difference in their scent and shouldn't be done. I'm unsure and would like to hear opinions on this since I would like to get a male. As for females, I can see NO GOOD REASON to do it. Even unaltered females smell OK with their scent glands. Altered females smell just normally musky. OK, so if you get them upset and they "hiss," they smell.....baths work great on these occassions. ALL: About shampoos, what is the concensus? Some use ferret-specific, some don't, what are your opinions? My parents used Johnson & Johnson-brand Tearless Baby Shampooo (the gold stuff) for years. When we had Daisy, they switched to the red stuff which has conditioners (Daisy's fur, due to her health, needed somthing to soften it up). Opinions? Recommendations? [Posted in FML issue 0734]