If any of you are considering getting your ferrets descented I just have this to say - the operation is not necessary, neutering is answer to cutting down the strong smell of hobs. I don't recall having heard of British ferrets suffering from impacted anal glands - at least none of my 'gang' have that problem and I've got 36. I must admit I do get a bit tired of telling new ferret owners in the UK that they don't have to have their ferrets descented, to wait until their ferrets are at least 6 months old before neutering etc. I then get but I read it in this book I bought from a garden centre, big pet store etc. I know immediately who the publisher of the book will be - nice photographs, some good advice once you know what to discard. Sheila Crompton [log in to unmask] http://www.btinternet.com/~sheila/ferrets.htm Bolton Ferret Welfare & Newsletter Editor of the National Ferret Welfare Society of the UK The opinions expressed by me are not necessarily those of the NFWS [Posted in FML issue 1894]