To Chris, concerning ice cream - Remember, ice cream contains lactose, and most ferrets, unless they have had milk products in their diet on a regular basis, do not have the enzymes in their intestine necessary to break it down. It tends to cause an osmotic gradient, drawing fluid into the bowel to dilute out the lactose, and the animal gets runny bowel movements. An irritated bowel may produce several bowel movements in quick succession. Generaly, there are no side effects other than a short bout of loose stools. Bruce Williams, DVM Department of Veterinary Pathology [log in to unmask] Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (202) 576-2453/2454 Washington, D.C. 20306-6000 [Posted in FML issue 0822]