Hello FML - I'm new on computer, AOL, & FML. This is only fifth time I;ve touched a computer in my life. Bought all the books for dummies - but they are written on asumption you know what all the little things on the keyboard means. Ha! I can;t even find my rat or mouse or whatever you call it. It keeps going away and changing into other things. Talk to me fast guys - may not last on this thing. I figure can write anything I wish because, thus far, I've been e-mailing to myself. No wonder I kept getting new incoming mail which I could not access because I did not know how. But it was nice to get mail even from me. My name is Meg and my call is ChaoticFer.AOL. I'm the health coordinator for The League of Independent Ferret Enthusiasts. If you need nursing care advice, well care advice, emergency advice or whatever - please post to FML or call me and I'll do my darnest to figure out how to get back to you. You can also call me at 703-765-4353. For James B. Storm: please don't blame yourself for the loss of your two dear ferrets. I cannot say what went wrong with your sugery patient - but sometimes surgery will slow down clotting time and increase tendency for bleeding. Also, since you had a fresh surgical incision, running Sub-Q Ringers will have a tendency to "run out" the incision line. I am not sure what the bruising areas you describe were - talk to Dr. Bruce Williams. Please do not be afraid to get some kits. I advise two. Please trust me, nothing will ever replace the ferrets you have loved and lost, but new little guys will keep you busy, help your grief, and give you back so much more love. Sounds like you could use a little right now. My best to you. Here is a variation recipe for Duck Soup to use on critical care ferrets. One can sustecal or ensure (vanilla); 3 oz. Infant pedylite, plain flavor; small handful of high grade dry kitten food, or Totally Ferret'; one tablet pepto-bismol; and one teaspoon of Special Care by Four D Paws - available from Omaha Vaccine Co. Telephone 1-800-367-4444 (get a catalog also). Put ingredients in blender. Let dry kitten or Totally ferret soften a bit. Blend on liquify. Give to ferret using Infant medicine dropper (5cc's) - let liquid fall to bulb, squeese out air - fill again and then again. Should get approximately 3 tsp. this way. At first your ferret might resist. Hold securely (the ferret, not the dropper. Hold ferret's head upright, squeese a bit in corner of mouth - continue until dropper empty. Usually ferrets will get to like the taste fairly quickly and will lick from dropper as you hold it for them. Critically ill or dehydrated ferrets should be supported every two to three hours around the clock. I know this is hard, but often necessary when your baby is very weak and ill. It is always amazing to me at how fast a ferret can go down hill, but spring back almost as fast at times. Hope this makes it on FML - get in touch if I can be of help. I have a house full of ferrets from (at present) five months to over eight years of age. My hoard stays out in the house (except for whole hob in season) . I have whole and unholy ferrets (neutered). Pet store ferrets, rescue ferrets, home bred ferrets, German and Canandian ferrets- quite an ethnic mix. They help me do everything and sleep in the bed at night or wherever else they wish. Best to all, Meg. P.S. although I've had ferrets for around ll years, I've only lost two so far - I have been extremely lucky. But some of my old guys are hanging by a thread. so expect this luck will change soon. M. [Posted in FML issue 1208]