Hi all, After months of not being able to read the list due to the horror of having to finish a long, grueling document, I have finally been freed from my prison. I have to report on the demise of Inigo, our eldest and first ferret, a couple of months ago. He died after a very short illness which I think was really just extreme old age. We figured him for at least 8 years old, so we know he had a long and mostly pleasant time here (at least after we got him four years ago). He is survived by his fellow carpetsharks Fezzik, Alexis, and Buttercup. Buttercup continues to go into heat every year even though she should not be able to. Desiree Kehr of the Montgomery Co. Ferret Rescue breeds her for us, then a few months later her swelling goes back down. I am not really sure the breeding does anything of if it just tracks the seasons. However, she never seems to be bothered by this cycle. Now, to the topic at hand, from the last FML > First, Facile, our 5 mo old sable female, had a wierd >episode. Last night, she went to sleep under the stove; when >she was prompted to get out, she became lethargic, her gait was >unsteady, and ultimately she became almost inert, for about two >hours. Very, very scary. Ultimately, she vomited twice, and >gradually regained some ferret energy, in short bursts. Is this a gas stove?! It sounds like a carbon dioxide problem or possibly a small gas leak... quick! call the utility co and have it checked, this can KILL everyone in the house in short order. (worse is person says, "I don't feel well," goes to bed and essentially suffocates) ____________________end quotation I don't think it can be a gas leak, since the gas company adds hydrogen sulfide to the gas. This stuff stinks in the smallest quantities (rotten egg smell) and you could certainly smell it if you had a leak. If the stove is not on, then you should not get a carbon monoxide build-up, which is a concern with any system which burns gas. My guess would be poor circulation of air under the stove (but you could not know without taking a close look). This would lead to the ferret using up the available oxygen (high metabolism, fast use of oxygen) and creating a large concentration of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide poisoning occurs only in acute form (no long term problem), so if the ferret has recovered, all should be well. Personally, I would block off the stove and not worry unless symptoms continue or recur. Best to all from Mike, Erica, Ian Fezzik, Alexis, Buttercup... [Posted in FML issue 1037]