Hello and very warm special hugs to all the kids . . . Needless to say, with all that has been going on, I am suffering from a rectal-cranial inversion. Okay - if you need a translation, my head has been up my @ss. It has been an extremely grueling period for me. Hopefully, we are nearing the end (of the problem, not the ferrets). I have been trying to respond personally to all who have sent well wishes, condolences, cards, prayers, thoughts, and advice. I currently have over 125 emails to respond to. Just in case I miss anyway, thank you all. I regret to say that when everyone started getting sick, I immediately dumped all the litter, food, etc. that could have been tested for any poisons. Some of the symptoms that were exhibited were common to any number of things. I've learned my lesson to keep samples of things - just in case. I think the remaining kids are trying to direct me to an area of concern. Even though I have dumped all the old wood pellet litter, they will not use the litter box when there are wood pellets in them. Some of these kids ALWAYS used the litter box. Seeing the piles on the floor reminded me that, with the exception of Furrice, the others who left either slept in the litter box or would run their noses or faces through the wood pellets. Robyn, when you learn more about cedar toxicity and the symptoms, please let me know. The wood pellets that were in there when everyone got sick were not the ones I normally use. It is possible that they contained cedar or were treated with some chemical. Back to paper for me. I would also like to thank everyone who commented about my stories. For those who asked if I was an author - HAH!!!! I flunked out in english, chemistry <and I was on a HAZ-MAT TEAM ?>, and science in High School. At the same time, this little incident has propelled me into learning more about chemistry, science, parasitology, and veterinary medicine. As I have said before, things happen for a reason - maybe to get me to learn as much as I can. JEAN - about fur-angels. I knew that !! Wanted to see if anyone else did !!! Kevin B and the Way Kewl Critter Crew ~Simon~Lacey~Hershey~Sprite~Cuddles~Java~Miss Priss~ ~Cinna~Racer~Dookesbury~ Guardian Fur-Angels - ~Furrice~Lady~Zeus~Rascal~Socks~Muttley~ Missing our friends - Kimo the Sumo Cat (and Honorary Fert) and fellow ferts ~Petey~, ~Nibbler~, ~Max~, ~Romeo~, ~Bandit~, and the other ~Romeo~ Saying "Hey!" to ~Pandora~, ~Noser~ and the rest of the Tennessee Brat Pack !! Please see KITY=^..^=KAT's Fur Faces, Memorial for Zeus http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/2396/zeus.html Prayers to the ill and those who have gone before us. Hug your fuzzies while you can, hold them in your heart when you can't. [Posted in FML issue 2909]