Fara - The other evening Nancy and I stopped at a pet store to deliver newsletters. The owner asked us to look at a ferret someone had left with her the night before. What I saw was an older ferret that was laying on her side stretched out and her breathing was very shallow. She was so malnourished I could visually see every little bone in her body. Her breating was shallow and her body cool to the touch. Her lymph glands under her neck were as large as a jumbo hot dog from ear to ear. When I picked her up she barely moved. Every lymph gland in her body was enlarged. Irma said I could take her so I called the vet right there and scheduled an appointment for the next day. I wasn't sure if Fara would make it through the night but after we got home I cleaned her up and Nancy and I struggled with force-feeding. The vet confirmed our suspicions - Lymphoma, malnutrition, and no will to live. We started her on Prelone and Vitamin C and worked with her till we convinced her eating was a good thing. I'm happy to report that Fara's condition has improved considerably. She now eats 2/3+ a day of Science Diet A/D-Pedialyte mixture and we mix her Prelone in with the mixture so there is no struggle at medication time. She has gained weight and her mental state has improved. Fara is well loved and cared for and she is responding. I don't know how long she has left on this earth but we are blessed that we found each other and for the time we are given. I can't change her past but I most certainly can control her present and future. Spiccup - Spiccup was turned in because she was hairless and the owner couldn't afford adrenal surgery. Spiccup does not have a swollen vulva so our vet wanted to try a special shampoo and diet. I'm happy to report Spiccup is growing her fur back. She is a real sweetie. She plays with all the other ferrets and even me. She follows me EVERYWHERE. She is very happy. We still lean towards adrenals but won't perform surgery till the vulva swells, from what I understand a definite sign. Charlie - Charlie was bitten or stung by an insect. She had an allergic reaction and her nose swelled. We medicated her and all was well, or at least we thought so. She was bitten 3 times and finally an abscess formed. Last night our vet lanced the bean size abscess and snipped a piece of skin off so it would stay open. There was so much puss! Poor, poor, Charlie. She was so good. Only flinced at the snip. Well now I have to squeeze out any puss and put in (note the in) panalog. This morning there was no puss and after I put in the panalog and put her on the floor she goes directly for the litter box (clumping). Now Charlie has NEVER before rooted in litter but this morning that is exactly what she did! I quickly retrieved her and cleaned her now clogged opening and then took her to the living room and put her on the futon. She rubbed on the futon and then went on her merry way. Little stinker. Condolences to all who have lost a loved one. Hugs. tle [Posted in FML issue 1356]