Hi All! Paula - Baby ferrets go through a "normal" biting stage. It is at this time that we have to gently let them know this is unacceptable behavior. While ferrets skin is tough their little noses aren't. We all know how it feels when we get "thumped" on the nose, and although I've heard of humans using this method, I never do. Depending on whether the biting is genetic or not (yes, this is hereditary), it can take days, weeks or even months to curb this bad habit. Coco Puffs took several months (not her fault, her previous owner kept her caged most of the time and didn't socialize her) and 1 year later sometimes when she kisses she'll gently grab your lip (this is just a test). I giggle at her and she lets go but this can be quite shocking to someone unaware of the test. The kits were terrible about biting (hereditary and their owner kept them caged ALL the time till she turned them over to me at 13 weeks). For my hands and feet I spray bitter apple (never spray in their mouths) all over and also gently swat little bottoms and yell NO! or EEEK! or AHHH! and sometimes I scream (cause they surprise me). I've also used the stick the finger further in the mouth and the hold down the tongue trick. Now we play chase up and down the hallway and they never bite. I go barefoot in the house a lot so they are quite use to it. One little girl will put her nose on my foot and hold it there (again another test) but she never bites. If you think training one not to bite is difficult, try 8! (eeek, ahhh, youch!) To Anon regarding Charlie - For dehydration Pedialyte (an electrolyte replacer found in baby foods section) fruit flavor is excellent for replacing fluids. The reason for the low electrolyte and protein levels would normally be caused from not eating or drinking and diarrhea. Did your vet put him on antibiotics? Rick White recommends .25 of 1 cc of Pepto Bismal for diarrhea (probably 2-4 times a day). If diarrhea persists more than 1 day I'd recommend a trip to the vet (which you've done) and an antibiotic along with an intensive fluid/feeding regime. You may want to try the recipe I posted a few days ago (if you don't feed Totally Ferret you can substitute whatever other high quality food you feed such as Iams or Science Diet), be sure to crush the nuggets to a fine powder and mix with Science Diet A/D and pedialyte (you can omit the Feline Pro-Balance if its not available in your area). The most important thing is to get Charlie to eat and drink. Try to get 60 cc's per pound per day of fluids (1/4 cup holds 45 cc's) into the little guy. I've found that Pedialyte (fruit flavor) is readily accepted even when water is not. You may have to feed with an eyedropper at first, but once he gets the taste he should eat on his own (if he isn't too weak). I hope he doesn't have what Gizzie has. You can e-mail direct if you'd like. [log in to unmask] Gizzie Update - Well Gizzie's test came back negative. I'm happy to report that the diarrhea and discharge is gone but his little bottom is still quite sore. He's not thrilled about the Tucks wipes but they seem to help. His energy level is up and he even pinched me this morning to get me out of bed! Thanks to those who contacted me on the Gentocin toxicity. The first time Gizzie got sick, we tried the chloramphenicol (sp) and several other antibiotics that were recommended but none worked and Gizzie was near death. He'd lost 30% of his weight and his little body felt like mush. Oral Gentocin was our last hope along with the already intensive fluid/food therapy. We had not tried flagyl (sp) and after speaking with Dr. Wardell we decided to stick with gentocin (as they are both wide range and we'd had success with it). Because Gizzie is doing so well, I'm going to try taking him off the Gentocin in 2 weeks. Matt - 9 day old babies are very small and too little for an implant in my opinion. Although I don't agree with the implant at all and think it is totally unnecessary, if it must be done, perhaps it can be done when they are spayed/neutered. It seems to me if the dept requires the implant they should have to purchase the equipment to read and data base the chips (perhaps a cost they don't want). Thought I'd post this on the FML but I'll e-mail you directly on the other regs. A place where ferrets are "running at large" is called paradise! I'd move there in a heartbeat! Hugs to all! tle [Posted in FML issue 0917]