>From: Helen Andersson <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Blue ears reaction w/Ortena I'm not a vet nor am I familiar w/Ortena. I have always used liquid IVOMECTIN (sp?)drops w/complete success. Ask your vet about it. >From: Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Flea Problems The only way to resolve a flea problem is to treat the entire problem, not just what's on the critter, since fleas spend most of their lifecycle off the animal. You have to treat the WHOLE environment. It's probably not that you're not taking care of the bugs on the critter, new ones are just jumping on as soon as the eggs they've left behind hatch. If your ferret has fleas, sorry to say it, but so does your house. You have to treat the ferret & any other pets, all the bedding & your carpet & upholstery. Some people use bombs, but they are toxic & leave a considerable amount of film on EVERYTHING that must be washed off. Bomb treatments also have to be done 2-3x because it doesn't kill the unhatched eggs. Luckily I haven't had to deal w/the problem for many years, thank goodness. But no matter who I've spoken to that has tried FLEA BUSTERS raves about it. It is not a chemical, but a non-toxic mineral power that's worked into the carpet & upholstery & kills fleas in the home for a year or more. You can have the service done for you by the company, or purchase the product from your vet. Program is good (& very expensive), but doesn't kill the flea, it only keeps them from reproducing. On my crits, as a preventative measure during the GA heavy flea season, I use FRONTLINE (800) 660-1842 for product info), which is a neurosomethinginhibitor (it kills them), w/no ill effects. >From: Dade Sures <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: "Echo" I've heard that about blazes, don't know if it's true. I experience is that the deaf ones *talk* & scream more, at least the ones I've come in contact with. My friend Pat has an adorable chocolate blaze that's deaf. She learned to roll over by hand signals. The only thing Pat doesn't do w/her is call her. Well she can but Dixie doesn't pay any attention! Deaf frits get around as well as blind frits, which get around at hearing/seeing frits. They're just a little noisier. >From: Jason Matchett or Heidi Reagle <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Samantha digging to china... Sprinke some red hot pepper where she digs. Some of you probably aren't going to like this & say it's cruel. But if it comes down to ruining your carpet/losing your apt or having to get rid of your baby, I think a little nose sting & a few sneezes are worth it. [Posted in FML issue 1750]