Here's a long story with a happy ending. Like all of us I hear stories of people putting up large amounts of money towards vet bills and though to myself if something like that happened I would never spend that amount -- but you never know until it's your own. Last October my feistiest ferret Rascal came down with some unexplainable illness. Rascal is a beautiful silverish mitt. I have gone through hell and back with this little monster. He was a brutal biter, no one was safe! He consistently drew blood. He was so nasty that I considered getting rid of him, but I feared for him being mistreated because of his horrible behavior so I couldn't risk that. I had a growth removed from his foot at about 9 months (looked like an extra toe), the next Thanksgiving somehow he literally sliced open the skin on his stomach, very deep. It was thanksgiving so I couldn't find a vet so he endured until the next day when I got a call back. Well anyway almost a year after that I noticed him jump off the couch and his front legs were not strong enough so he collapsed. I knew something was wrong, went immediately to the vet. They saw nothing wrong where he was eating and drinking. They said keep an eye on him. By two days later he couldn't stand, went back to the vet and they said, "he looks depressed" they ran tests and did exrays and again found nothing. They mentioned (and assumed) distemper because of a change of skin texture on his hind feet. They gave him some fluids and sent him home. I was getting neurotic! About a week went by, I spoke with the vet a few times on the phone and she kept saying wait it out. He was so weak that each morning when I woke up and each evening I came home from work I expected to find him gone. He was now having trouble breathing. To the vets again with no results, I went to work that morning and from work called my husband and begged him to bring the ferret back to the vet and make them keep him there. Well Rascal went into intensive care. I visited him at least once a day and pet him for hours. It was so heart warming to see this ferret that was to weak to move to lift his head when he heard my voice. The vets (3 of them) still could find nothing and my beautiful little Rascal was dying and no one could save him. I was called into the director's office and told what the bill was, they so no improvement so I need to make some decisions and pay up. I was in shock so gave Rascal a kiss and went home to think. That morning on my ride into work I started thinking about his sweet little face that used to watch us from beside the television while we would be wondering what was running through his mischievous little mind and I made a decision -- I will not give up on my little devil child! He was fighting so hard to live I will fight along with him and find a vet who remembers why they studied veterinary medicine in the first place! I went to the vet and brought my little Rascal home. So desperate to find help I called a local shelter. That was the best thing I ever did! Jo's response was the most encouraging thing I ever heard -- In a very forceful voice I heard the words "YOU DON'T NEED TO PUT THAT FERRET DOWN!" Just what I needed to hear. She went over some of her experiences, Duck Soup recipe, feeding schedules, and recommended some vets. She was also available for my panicky calls and gave me encouragement. By this time a majority of my paycheck for the month was spent on vet bills. Rascal was eating Duck Soup through a syringe, dragging himself to the "handicap access" litterbox I built for him (he tried -- he'd get his head into the litterbox but poop with his butt still in his bed!) but he started to bloat and still couldn't breathe. I'm not a religious person but I prayed a lot! I brought Rascal to the vet recommended and in one visit the breathing issue was resolved, he had fluid around his lungs which were making his breathing difficult so we went home, picked up our prescription and hit the road to recovery. No diagnosis was ever made but the medication worked. Several months of syringe feeding and finally I got what was the most precious Christmas gift -- Rascal started eating on his own. New Year's day, he went up the stairs on his own. Now Rascal is better than ever and I do mean BETTER! He learned during his illness that snuggling is good! His biting has also lessened, my toes thank him. I still worry a little because he tires easy and is not as energetic as he was but he does play and get into mischief like a trooper! This story has gotten to long for me to tell you about SuzieQ's part in this -- another good story for another day but she certainly motivated Rascal to get well quickly (oh look a new toy that moves on it's own!). For all of you worrying about an ill fuzzy, never give up! There are resources that you never expected and make sure you know your vet is experienced with ferrets (and cares). It's been months and said often but again -- Thanks Jo from the Luv of Ferrets Shelter and thanks Dr. Karen Purcell, Abbott Valley Animal Hospital. [AS] [Posted in FML issue 2627]