Kevin (MH7)-- Your comments to Dr. Williams on rabies vaccinations and reference to the McDowell case seem to be saying that lack of current rabies vaccination is a large factor in their case. If this is indeed what you were saying, please allow me to clarify. Both of the McDowells' ferrets were current on their IMRAB vaccinations. The state of Kansas has refused to acknowledge the vaccine, and testimony from folks attached to the Health Department there stated that ferrets are wild, her reasoning being that, "...there are vaccines for domesticated animals...."! I guess they find IMRAB to be chopped liver. If the court is in anyway saying that the ferret was unvaccinated, it is because the judge would not allow the admission of the ferret's veterinary records as evidence, calling them "hearsay." I will say as I have before, I disagree with Dr.Williams' feelings about rabies vaccination and will keep my own ferrets' vaccinations current. However, if you are trying to use the McDowell case to support your opinion (and mine), you've only succeeded in demonstrating exactly what Dr. Williams stated was certain to happen in the event of a bite! Tarra and Matt-- I was sorry to hear that Nook didn't take to motherhood well. Would neither of your other girls due soon foster the babies? That is one advantage to breeding more than one jill at the same time, but I don't know if it works if the foster mom hasn't delivered yet or what impact it might have on her acceptance of her own kits later. Unfortunately, refusal to nurse is not all that uncommon-- I'm not a breeder, but I've heard it mentioned many times by those who do breed. Ditto on chewing up kits. The ones you found in the litter box may have been deposited there by a new mom who didn't understand what was going on and took the urge to push as an urge to potty. For future births, you might consider keeping a very close eye on mom on day 41 of gestation and staying home and nearby on day 42, when most ferrets deliver. If you can find a way to get the kitten milk replacement into the kits, and can keep them warm and fed frequently enough, you might manage to save them, though human fostering of newborn kits often fails. Sorry that I have no suggestions for a suitable way to transfer the formula to them. The STAR* listing I have has no one in the Dakotas for me to suggest as a contact. I be praying that your other girls are more prepared to be mommies. Good luck. Debra [Posted in FML issue 0737]