Hi all! Margaret it sounds like what you described is Screw Worm. I live in NY and was a Vet technician for three years and Screw Worm, although not common, was something that we saw to much of! The larva comes to be when a fly lays it's eggs on the animals skin, the eggs hatch and then the larva proceeds to burrow into the animal and use them as well as a nutrionary substance. Not exactly the most appitizing thing! Generally we saw these cases on animals that had run away or were just plain neglected, but then again we live in different states so the fly may be more common where you are. But in any case the animals were always exposed to the outside for some period of time. BTW I have seen Screw Worm in cats, dogs, a rabbit and even a goat. So if you're keeping your fuzzies outside just be sure to check them daily to make sure that they have nothing in their fur! It is definitely something that can be avoided - THANKFULLY!!! ( Screw Worm is something I definitely don't miss!!!) I have been reading about Heartworm preventative for the past couple of days and was wondering if this a common problem amongst ferrets? My dog is on Heartworm year round because of mild winters that we have been having, and I was just wondering if I should be concerned about Nikki even though she spends 97% of her time indoors? I do however like to take her out for walks in the summer, so should I be concerned or is this mostly for ferrets kept outdoors? One last thing, Nikki has a little sweet thing that she does - she grooms me. Every time I pick her up she cleans my eyebrows for me and now she is doing this with my SO. Does anyone else have a fuzzie with a grooming fetish or is Nikki just telling me I need to wash my face better? Sorry this got so long and sorry about the grossness of the first part!! fuzzie kisses to all who have lost a beloved fuzzet or are nursing a sick baby. Jaya (The guarder of the Ferritone) Ang (The raisin counter) & Nikki - BBBBBLLLLLLAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! I hate buggas!! But I LOVE eyebrows!!!!! :> [Posted in FML issue 1358]