I'm the one that recommended the Stridex for tail blackheads, and yes I would keep the pads away from the ferrets rectum as I'm sure it would be very uncomfortable. The liquid in the stridex is made to help clean out pores and dry the skin, it evaporates very quickly. The stridex pads were recommended to me by my vet and I would go so far as to call him a ferret expert. I've never noticed my ferrets licking their tails, in fact when investigating the jar of pads on the table, they didn't even stick their nose in, it's probably very distasteful to them, in fact the smell reminds me of bitter apple. If you're worried about it though, after giving the tail a good scrub, let the medication stay on for a few minutes if you can and then you could probably rinse the tail with water, and use the old toothbrush to help scrub away what the stridex pad has loosened up. The ingredient that would probably cause the harm is salicillic (sp) acid, which is a mild acid that dissolves dead skin. If just being in contact with the acid was dangerous, you wouldn't be able to hold the pad. Also I'll stress again to only use the pad once or maybe twice a week, and then maybe once every few weeks to help keep the skin clean. Over use of the pads will definately dry the skin out. I've held off on the MF ferrets discussions, but I have to add..I love my little MF girl. My first ferret that we adopted was not MF, and we went through a lot of biting, digging and other habits that patiently we've been able to handle, our new little MF girl we adopted was rescued from the SPCA and she's the sweetest most loving ferret I've ever known. She's never bitten anyone, for ANY reason, she is very healthy, happy and loving, not to mention beautiful. She and our other ferret became the best of friends after only two days. I wouldn't trade her for anything. And to Jena..we all responded the way we did because you were "just thinking of declawing Angel". If you decided to do it, you might as well cut off her feet instead. Presently my vet (and vet to a large number of ferret owners in my area) is writing an article for our local newsletter about the dangers of declawing, this was prompted by two ferrets that were brought in to the shelter our group sponsers, and they had been mutilated (ie declawed). We're spreading the word on a local level, just as the FML is on a global one, hopefully it will save a lot of ferrets unnecessary pain and suffering. Robynn Gargoyle (are you saying I was a pain in the butt?) and Morticia (no..she's saying I'm perfect!) Robynn Gargoyle (see my pretty tail?) and Morticia (yeah..pretty stinky tail) [Posted in FML issue 2463]