For anyone interested in the Domestic Ferret Informational Materials book - it contains info on rabies in ferrets, the rabies vaccine, domestication info, veterinarians letters (I can still use more), and a misc section that includes Dr. Browns contribution along with a list of ferret books and journal articles. The copying cost is 5.10 and postage is 2.90 for a total of $8.00. Checks can be made out to: Ferret Family Services and our address is PO Box 186, Manhattan, KS 66502-0002. As far as the shedding studies - I get more frustrated every day. Ferret medicine is so lacking on necessary studies and equipment it seems foolish to waste time and money on unwarranted studies. As I deal with a lot of sick ferrets, I do get quite upset when we reach a point where no one knows what is wrong or even has necessary equipment to make a proper diagnosis. While we all want to believe that the shedding studies are an answer to our prayers, we must face the reality that they are not. Perhaps if the "officials" would listen to facts instead of fiction and misinformation, we would not need them at all. If these studies and the same criteria were required on other companion pets and if there was an actual problem of rabies in ferrets it would be different. The more I learn about the issue (and I do learn more all the time), the more frustrated and angry I get. The data speaks for itself - A human is more likely to contract rabies from ingestion (believe it or not, it has been documented), blood transfusion, organ transplant, or bite from other types of companion pets, livestock, and wildlife, or inhalation than from a ferret bite. Do you know why I say that? Because all of the above has happened, but there has never been a ferret to human transmission of rabies. Hugs to all! (oh and Vixen is still the same) tle [Posted in FML issue 0932]