Ann-- I think the drug name you are looking for is dexamethasone. It is a steroid type drug that has been used for ferrets in severe shock, such as an anaphylactic reaction. It is a glucocorticoid and considered efficient as an antiemetic (supresses nausea and vomiting). This type of steroid is catabolic and helps the body convert stored fats, sugars, and proteins to the energy needed when under stress as well as improving circulation. I learned about dexamethasone when I had ferrets with insulinoma who were given to sudden and unpredictable seizures due to low blood sugar. One ferret would have such severe seizures that my vet finally provided me with syringes loaded with dex. Judicious use of the dex would help me bring the ferret around enough that she could be given an extra dose of her normal meds and fed something high in protein. In this case the anitemetic effect, the energy conversion effect, and the improved circulation were all beneficial in breaking the cycle of the seizure. For some reason a third ferret with insulinoma never had this kind of severe attack and just had to be encouraged to eat regularly. With the two girls something more was needed until the point that surgery and their regular meds were no longer keeping the seizures rare enough for them to have an enjoyable quality of life and we had to let them go. For comparison, one pharmacological site I visited to check info stated that dexamethasone is approximately 10 times stronger than prednisone/prednisolone, other steroids commonly used in ferrets. Debra [Posted in FML issue 2687]