Since my last posting saying I will be posting near the end of this week, several people have asked my if they could send in more data. USre, go ahead; I have everything all figured out, maybe even why, but I don't mind dropping in a few more numbers. Do it fast though, because I won't add anything after Thursday. I think I will break the data into 3 or 4 posts and post them over the same number of days. That way, Bill isn't swamped with post, and I'm not sued for putting people to sleep at their computers, and have someone fall off their chair and snapping their pencil-necked geeky neck. I have 7 posts in my box regarding descenting. I'm a little behind on the FML, so I've missed most of this one. So with no flames intended: a) Descenting will not remove the ferret's natural body odor. It can lower poop odors because a small amount is squirted out with the poopie, but if you leave enough poop in the pan to tell the difference, you have other problems and maybe should be "descented" yourself. b) Descenting is necessary sometimes because older ferrets often develop impacted anal sacs. I recommend descenting to be done on *any* ferret with an impacted anal sac because they are often recurrent, and they could lead to cancer. Descenting eliminates the problem (ho!). c) There is no evidence I know of that ties the "anal sac system" with any other system of the body. Therefore, disagreeing with what one private post suggested, I cannot see how the removal of an anal sac can cause any other problems in the ferret's physiology. Behavior, maybe. Physiology, I just don't see it, so as far as I know, it would make little difference one way or the other. d) Some ferrets are problem poofers, and when someone writes to me and complains about it, I recommend descenting, which I feel is less traumatic to the ferret than relocation (adoption). This is especially important in areas with filled shelters. e) Descenting is safe, has very few post-surgical problems, and has no long-term effect on the ferret. In terms of surgical risks, few proceedures are safer. f) Descenting may remove a set of glands and their associated shooters, but removing them is not (in my humble opinion) an act of mutilation, like with declawing. In declawing, the third digit is removed, shorting the hand/foot, and changing the balance, the motor skills, the muscle action, and the grasping ability of the ferret. Except for poofing, the ferret is unchanged by descenting. In any case, neutering is a (necessary) act of mutilation, which has a tremendous impact on the physiology of the ferret, yet few complaints are registered about osteoporosis and possible endocrine diseases. If a ferret is at risk because of poofing, either by disease or relocation to another home, I feel descenting is a viable option and one shouldn't be subject to flaming if those options are explored. And just to dispell the myth I am pro-descenting... f) I do not normally descent. Even with 20 ferrets, only half are descented and most of them because they where adopted MF ferrets. The rest are potiential poofers. Jet and Amber can out-poof the best of them and do so weekly. The stink is short-lasting, and while it might be nasty for the first few moments, it is not like skunk stink at all. Still, Trillian will be descented this spring because she currently *has* an impacted anal sac, and as soon as it clears up, its outta there with its evil twin. g) I believe the question is sort of moot. Most people (maybe not FMLers) buy MF ferrets, and the deed is done. As for that problem, I think descenting is far lower on my list of priorities compared to early neutering and separation from mother. I was in St. Louis last weekend (I just love zoos) and stopped at a local pet store to see the ferts. I saw four kits that by tooth eruption and size could not be older than 7 weeks, maybe 8 if you stretched it (and you would!). Thier permanent canines were just beginning to show. These kits should still be with mommy, and they should have their reproductive systems until they reach adult size, which is about the same time they become sexually mature. Jet, Amber, and Jezabel will be neutered this spring, on or about 1 year of age, and Carbone (now at 6 lbs and NO!!! fat, just muscle) after that. Last opinion. While I don't personally think you need to descent unless you have to, it is an important issue with other persons, and as such, their opinions are as important to them as mine are to me. So, I respect their decision to descent, not only because it is a physiologically harmless procedure, but also because it can keep a fert in a home it would otherwise be at risk of losing, as well as protect it from diseases (cancers) and infections (just imagine an infected boil in that location....I'd have *myself* descented). Bob C and 20 MO Furbutts wearing Asbestos Longjohns. [Posted in FML issue 2207]