There seems to be an position put forth by some people that surgery in ferrets over 5 years old is not recommended. I confess I rarely read the fml any more, so haven't read posts on the topic. But word gets around. Yesterday, however, I was at my vet's office yesterday, and learned about someone who had insulinoma surgery done yesterday on one of her ferrets, who was six. I may have the age wrong. She was quite upset, having been told by someone that she should not even consider such a surgery on a ferret that old. (She had the surgery and her ferret did well.) I couldn't disagree with this "not over 5" sentiment more strongly. Assuming that the ferret surgeon is top-notch (the surgeon in this case was Charles Weiss), and the ferret has been examined and blood-work done to determine that the ferret is a good surgical risk, there's no reason to withhold surgical treatment, and every reason to go ahead with it. Why are people saying that surgery shouldn't be done on plus-5 year olds? Who knows. Some surgeons don't know much about ferret surgery, using anesthesia that is not recommended, fasting ferrets much too long (thus weakening them), or keeping them under anesthesia too long (speed is important). Maybe some surgeons tell people surgery isn't advisable because they know the owners or shelters don't have the money to do lots of surgeries. Maybe this humane response has convoluted itself into the belief that surgery should not be done. I know people who have had their 5, 6, 7 and 8 year old ferrets operated upon by Dr. Weiss. I've had it done. Thanks to the surgery, the ferrets have done well and were granted extra time. What's long enough? Some owners say a year isn't very long. Loosely speaking, that's about a decade for us. I say that's a long time. Two of my ferrets had had surgery when they were over five. They were comfortably up and walking around the day of surgery, under supervised conditions. Of course, we follow strict post-op care instructions by Dr. Weiss - no ramps for 4-5 days, no jumping, no wrestling. Much post-op brusing is from too much activity. These ferrets of ours are extremely stoic, to their detriment, and we need to set the limits for them since they know no limits. We set up a bathroom as a Recovery Room, pad it with sleep sacks and blankets and a sheets, add a carrier for a den, and allow the small patient out ever few hours for a walk and visits with their ferret friends. To make a loving, caring owner feel guilty at wanting the best for her animals, is cruel, or misguided at best. This woman traveled a long distance to get what she believes is the best surgical care she can find for her beloved ferrets. She should be applauded, not castigated. So here's to __________ and your ferret - I only caught a quick peak - may you have many happy days and nights together, and thanks for caring. Beth [Posted in FML issue 2482]