I ended up calling Honker's owner in New York and she thanked me for not taking her to the emergency clinic without asking first. Instead, she had me call her ex who has known Honker her whole life. Her owner felt that her ex would be in as good a position as herself, to tell if Honker was in worse condition than usual. He came and retrieved Honker, looking very sad at the door. I haven't heard from them since, so I am assuming the worst. Thanks to everyone who answered my post, I just feel terrible to have this happen in my house, while the poor girl was on holidays. She said she had feared that Honker would die while she was away and had even considered helping Honker cross the rainbow bridge before she left. But, she said, she didn't know if it was the right thing to do. How do you tell when your pet is too far gone to save? As my crew gets older, I guess it's a lesson I'll have to learn soon too. I think, in terms of disease wise, my own household is safe. From the owner's comments, I gather Honker had been unwell for sometime so I think she was just coming to the end while she was here. I hope she pulled through, but I have my doubts. Thanks again for the advice and e-mails, Sheena * * * * * * * Ferrets & Friends Club & Rescue E-Mail: [log in to unmask] "dedicated to the preservation of the domestic ferret as a household pet", a no-kill, not-for-profit ferret facility. * * * * * * * For more information about the FFCR try our homepage: < http://www.geopages.com/Colosseum/1575 > * * * * * * * [Posted in FML issue 1433]