To Chris and Scooter, who occasionally gag's explosively: Chris - It is difficult to say what is causing Scooter to gag. My ferrets occasionally give a tremendous couple of coughs, followed by a gagging motion, very similar to what you see in cats with hairballs. For these animals, I give daily Laxatone, which seems to help. If there is a swelling in the throat which has not responded to antibiotics, I would suggest either a fine needle aspirate or a biopsy. Swellings that do not respond to antibiotics should be further investigated. A swelling that is pressing on the trachea will elicit a chronic cough. Bruce Williams, DVM Department of Veterinary Pathology [log in to unmask] Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (202) 782-2600/2602 Washington, D.C. 20306-6000 [Posted in FML issue 1072]