To Tom and Kramer: Yes, Tom, ferrets gain weight in the winter and can loose as much as 40% in the summertime. When I got my first ferret 11 years ago, this happened to me (him). I had him in to the vets because I thought he must have worms. We did blood work, stool samples, everything was negative. I told my vet I thought he might have tapes because I had a flea problem at the time. (BTW, it was getting on in October now). So, we wormed him for fleas and he gained weight (by now, November). Hah! I was right! (I thought). Later, I found out it is normal for ferrets to gain/lose with the seasons. I don't know who was more embarrassed - me or the vet! Debbie Riccio [Posted in FML issue 1462]