It's been a long time since I have posted- summer is a very busy time for me at work- both jobs are in their busy season then. I didn't even get a chance to read lots of the FML's- thank you to the people who pulled out the really urgent things and sent them to me via e-mail. I responded to those items privately. I am here with Gabriel who is finally out of season...whew, it was a rough summer. We have added yet another rescue to our den of theives, making the count now eight. In response to some of the recent posts... HARNESSES: I swear by the ones Shirley Hertzog makes to support her shelter. They come in several sizes, and properly fitted, the ferrets can not get out of them. I have 8 ferrets ranging from 1.25 lbs. on a good day to tipping the scales in the 6 lb. range. You can reach her at [log in to unmask] If BIG takes out the contact info I just wrote, e-mail me and I'll give it to you. COLD FERRETS: I wouldn't worry too much about them being cold. If there are two or more, they will keep each other warm, and if they have plenty of snuggly things to cuddle in, they should have no problem with temps into the 40's or so. I think I would have left them in the cage, with the cage as high in the room as practically possible. This would have forced them to sleep together to stay warm. 55-60 during the day should not have any ill effect on them at all. BRITTLE NAILS: Try rubbing Vitamin E oil directly into the nails. You might have to give them a treat while it soaks in to keep them from licking it off. It is also good for dry pads. FERRETS AND BABIES: The parents of any child need to be responsible to ensure the safety of the child. Any, ANY, animal in the household may pose a risk, and parents must take precautions to keep their animals away from children when not closely supervised. There are far more incidents of dog and cat bites to babies than ferret bites. It is absurd to suggest that ferrets pose any more of a danger to a child than a dog or cat or any other animal. MELISSA'S VET SCALE STORY: That is a cute story. My vet calls that contraption the "ferret stew pot". TEETH BRUSHING: Ferrets and all animals need regular oral care. They are susceptable to gingivitus and tooth decay just like humans. You can buy a small animal toothbrush at most larger pet stores, as well as animal toothpaste. DO NOT use people toothpaste. For caked on tarter and plaque, you will need to use a scaler. If you are uncomfortable with this, ask your vet to do it. It is usually a two person job to do properly. There will be a small amount of gum bleeding when you first do it. This is normal, and should stop momentarily. MASTIFFS AND FERRETS: My sister has a Bull Mastiff. We will be introducing the ferrets to him in a month or so, I'll gladly let you know how it went if you want to wait that long. RESCUES AND SHOWS: Miss Grace who was a rescue we didn't think would live out the week in early spring of '95, won Best In Show, Senior Class at the LOS National Championship Show last month. Extra raisons were handed out that night! CLUMPING LITTER: I have heard several stories of this type of litter being ingested during grooming/box snorfing/etc. It turns into a concrete inside the stomache, and glues itself to the intestinal walls. I am not a medical person, but it made sense- I have since switched to Yesterdays News. It also seems more environmentally freindly. Dooks to all!! -Mrs. Duck [Posted in FML issue 1738]