>From: "Nancy L. Silvernale" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: My turn with hair loss We've only had one case of adrenals with our own ferrets. This jill is a Marshall jill that is now approaching six. Dr. Kawasaki in Virginia did the operation almost three years ago. Well worth what it cost. We know lots of good ferret vets but highly recommend Dr. K since he is a really good friend and neighbor. We don't hesitate to use or recommend Drs. Weiss, Slack or Wardell who are also in our metro area. Find one of the experienced surgeons that can make the diagnoses for sure and don't hesitate to help your ferret as you can afford. Don't know your area but some folks bring their ferrets from across the whole Eastern US to the DC area to see one of these vets who are more experienced. This brings up.. >From: War Machine <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Answers to questions and references >If anyone in Maryland needs a Good - Top Notch Vet - Let me know and I >will get you in. He is Dr. Meissol, Gratuated from O.S.U. What part of Maryland? If he's local to the DC area I'd really like to meet him. Same school as Dr. Kawasaki if I remember correctly. >From: Fran Wiles <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Answers to posts Hi Fran! You don't write nearly enough but we know how crowded your shelter is so we fully understand. Glad to have one of the teachers we've learned the most from here as often as you can write. Very good information. >Andrea - Unfortunately all ferrets do not get along. Very good response. We have to separate out older folks more often than younger folks. So far we've been lucky enough to not get in ferrets than couldn't tolerate ferrets in the same room even if they couldn't tolerate them in the same quarters. We will let the younger ones "work it out" short of drawing blood in our own ferrets if they are young but don't force the issue on shelter or older ferrets. Separation by age group is part of the process. If Oliver who was the start of the topic is given enough time to adjust I suspect he'll eventually do fine with a buddy. But an adult and a kit that young might need only some time together until the kit gets more adult in age and manners that could mean separate sleeping quarters for months. I've adopted ferrets that I was told "had to be alone" and "wouldn't get along with other ferrets", with enough time they WANTED other ferrets and prefered NOT to be alone. >From: "marie i. schatz" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: responses >I have heard that other breeders use their own set of tatoos, not just MF. There are some private breeders who have their vets tatoo those ferrets that are altered. This is usually a matter of convenience and at the discretion of the vets. Shelters find it useful to more readily identify whether a ferret is altered or not. Adult hobs are easily recognized as neutered so it is not hard to identify them. Path Valley doesn't tattoo at all that I know. Hagen does "H"s that often look like "X" or "Y" as the ferret grows from what I've heard. Makes them the Canadian ranch you were asking about. MF is the largest to utilize them. bill and diane killian zen and the art of ferrets [Posted in FML issue 1717]