>I've been reading some of the past fml documents.. it seems there is alot >of ferret illnesses. Are ferrets' immune systems weak, or have they been >overbred.?.. Hah! I have to agree with you on that one, Celia. I'm glad I discovered this mailing list AFTER I had already acquired my ferrets and decided they were great pets! Looking at the postings on this list superficially, one could get the impression that ferrets are basically doomed and sickly critters, and the people who own them are masochists who think it's fun adopting animals that are going to run up a gargantuan veterinary bill and then drop dead prematurely! Fact is, though, as in most other things, the vast majority of ferrets out there are happy and healthy and their owners are perfectly normal (well, almost). ;-) You don't hear from them because they don't have any questions! So the balance of postings leans toward problems and sicknesses, and people seeking advice. But don't let that get you discouraged or paranoid over every little thing. Ferrets shove their noses into everything and so they wind up sneezing and coughing (you would too, with a faceful of dust and dust mites!) No matter how much you brush them and feed them Linatone for a nice skin and coat and occasionally bathe them, they constantly have the "itches" -- they even jump straight up from a dead sleep and start scratching like demons were after them sometimes (kinda scary when they are sleeping on your lap!). They catch cold and flu viruses. If you are prone to catching colds, your ferret(s) will have the sniffles too. Of course, they get into everything and have absolutely no fear, so they sometimes hurt themselves. Mine misjudge a leap now and then and crack their chins on the coffee table, or romp around the apartment so fast they crash into things (like bookcases). I'm surprised they aren't in traction by now! But they're ultra flexible and seem to take all the knocks in stride. My advice: 1) Unless they're locked up in a cage, don't assume you know where they are! They move like lightning. Many times I've thought mine were asleep in the other room but there they were, at my feet, looking up at me! 2) Ferrets love their people-pets and will follow them around everywhere. If you're not careful you'll kick them, step on them, or step on their toes. Learn to shuffle your feet around the house and watch your feet when you step down or over something! Or teach them to wear collars with bells (you'll still have to watch out, though). 3) Check every seat before you sit down! Fuzzies will snuggle under the blankets, coverlets, pillows, cushions where you sit to be cozy and to be near you and your smell. If you don't check for lumps you'll crush the critters. 4) Every time ferrets wake up they stretch and yawn (the little cuties). That's a good time to once a day take a flashlight and have a look inside their mouths and down their throats for anything that looks superficially wrong (like inflammation, a sore, whatever) and check their noses and eyes. An ounce of prevention ... 5) When they're sound asleep is a good time to check inside their ears and to listen to their breathing. 6) When you cuddle them you can put your ear up to their chests or backs to check for any unusual (wheezy) breathing sounds. 7) Of course, if you handle them constantly (like you should!), you'll know right away if there are any unusual changes in their bodies, like a suspicious lump, a sore limb, etc. Animals are stoic about pain and discomfort -- they're not generally crybabies like we humans are! -- so it's wise to get in the habit of routinely checking them for symptoms. But don't let it make you a proxy hypochondriac or worry you to distraction (as in "obsessed with poop") -- unless you ENJOY worrying, of course. To each his or her own. :-) A pet should bring you joy and delight, not fear and worry. If it doesn't you've chosen the wrong pet! As long as you give them lots of fresh food and water in clean dishes, keep their quarters and bedding clean and fresh, and show them lots of affection, you'll most likely have no problems at all. Enjoy! [Posted in FML issue 1437]