Hello again FML'rs Thank you to everyone who has e-mailed me welcomes and or questions. I will get back to you as soon as I can - busy schedule right now. Am also suffering computer avoidance syndrome. Was in a chat room when I received an instant message flash on the screen. I screamed and fell backwards off the chair. Thought the computer was attacking. Bruce & Debbie - Thanks for the correction - should have preceded statement on adrenal disease "neutering at young age - definitely a factor" with "In my opinion, early neutering is a factor". Am familiar with various studies and know the jury is still out. However, I know something you don't know. na-na-na-na na-na. I talk to people everyday on calls for nursing care - on telephone and now e-mail. I have been tracking adrenal disease incidence and keeping records for years. I catagorize replies on such things as age of onset, source of ferret, and all sorts of questions - even diet and previous health problems. Might have had something by now to send to Bruce and others on data compilation if Sparky had not set the bedroom on fire a couple of years ago. All my log books were burned & had to start over. Don't ask. Yes, I actually own an arsonist ferret and yes, part of the house burned. All ferrets survived the fire. I got a new bedroom and learned how to treat ferrets for smoke inhalation. killians - don't send your 12 yr. old daughter over to show me how to get liquid Pepto down ferrets - unless she brings a nasal-gastric tube, it won't work with my animals. Prefer B. Williams 1/15th tablet Rx. I am so excited - I'm actually being Attacked In Public on FML! Does this mean I am part of the group now?? Bruce - re ferret on pred. that cannot be weaned. Please answer on FML - I use and advise pred. as a short term adjunct to post operative management after adrenal surgery. Since prednisone will depress the remaining adrenal, I only use it if ferret has "staggers" or undue weakness - and only for a day or two - and than again if necessary. I always advise queries to check with their vet. and strictly follow his or her directions with regard to use of pred. However, if there is not secondary complication that would require the longer use of pred. - can easily understand how ferret would become "dependent" if continued on steroid. Please attack this question - am afraid to offer public advise. (Riccio is watching) Hi - Debbie. Hi Mary - will answer asap. Stephani - if you have not taken your ferret to vet - please do so immediately. Think I joined FML just as there was a "great what to clean ears with debate". Glad everyone agreed to use a q-tip. On current ear mite question - infected ears on cleaning may show - what looks like bits of black on Q-tip. Mites easy to see with magnification. I make it a rule to treat any new or incoming rescue with a medicated "ear mite exterminator". Will not say which med I use and start another debate. Got to run to pick up Jussy, The Hussy, who has been wearing out a happy hob for six days now - gad, she is insatiable. Should get a lot of kits from this one - I hope. I think this episitle will make it one line, finally got the address right, I think. Best to all - Meg Carpenter (Can be reached day or night at 703-765-4353 for nursing care advise). [Posted in FML issue 1218]