Hey All, Thought I might give a couple of hints I have picked up along the way. Bob C. asked about aspirin. I have used it for fevers and such with my ferrets. No problem. I have used a quarter tablet of BABY aspirin for Ollie on a daily basis for a couple of weeks when he was deathly ill earlier this year. If you have any questions, Bob, the vet is Dr. S at the Forum office. The baby aspirin should be crushed and diluted with a dropper of water, to keep it from upsetting the animals tummy. The main trouble with as is the dosing. Although dogs can take small amounts of aspirin on a regular basis (usually 5grain w/buffers) it is harder for cats and ferrets to take. They metabolize the drugs differently, much slower, than dogs. It is much easier for them to build up toxic levels of the drugs, in the major organs like the liver, due to this. My understanding is that Tylenol is not good for cats, dogs or ferrets. Because it isn't metabolized. I have unfortunate experience, my Miss Jezebel opened a child proof cap of Advil and ate several of the pills, probably due to the sweet coating. I still miss her. As for spinal fusing, have been through this with several animals. *While* this is going on it is painful. The fusing process pinches nerves leading to pain when moving. But after the fusing is complete, there usually isn't any more nerve irritation. So it is a short term painful process that leads to long term loss of motion. Think of back surgery in humans, that is what they do to relieve sciatic pain (I know, I thought about it once). That is ALL that surgery does, relieve pain (by relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve) and hinder movement. The bone guys actually fuse 2-3 lumbar vertebre. So instead of 3 pieces of bone, you have one. This is what happens naturally in older animals. I would also recommend that folks check into a product called Cosequin. It comes in two strengths, regular and double. The regular is for use in cats. I used this for several years on my recently departed dog for his severe hip dysplasia. He died at 11 years with basically no hip joints left. It helps to lubricate the joints, making movement easier. It is an all natural product and I have not had any problems in giving it. And I know someone who is trying it out with ferrets and it does seem to work with them also. When my 18 year old cat went through this, we gave him steroid shots. His pain went away in a couple of months and after that he was fine. I did start him on the Cosequin also, which seemed to improve his movement. To Monica S.- You didn't say where your ferret was losing it's hair on the tail. This could be a number of causes, some that mimic adrenal disease. Be sure and check for black heads (the skin will look spotty and yellowish from oil). Also my Miss Stella goes through a seasonal molt this time of year, it ALWAYS looks just like hair loss from adrenal. But it isn't. This type of seasonal alipacia is a documented occurance in ferrets. So while I would watch her, I don't think I would jump the gun just yet. Keep an eye on her, and also look for secondary symptoms of adrenal, like a swollen vulva, or temperment change. Some, not all, get this too. And if it is just blackheads, get yourself some Oxy-Pads and swab the tail once a day. It will clear this up in just 3 or 4 days. The ferrets don't lick it, and it is much easier than bathing them. Works really great! Maggie the Mad Celt of Mid Mo Just remember what PMS stands for- possible murder suspect [Posted in FML issue 2153]