Have the local authorities contact your STATE PUBLIC HEATH VETERINARIAN and READ THE COMPENDIUM OF ANIMAL RABIES CONTROL (first JAVMA of every year, or in the professional resources at http://www.avma.org ). Ferrets show clear sings of rabies if they have it so exposure without knowing isn't going to happen. That's why the National Association of Steve Public Health Veterinarians passed the revision in November of 1997 so that starting with the 1998 Compendium ferrets have been included with dogs and cats for having 10 day quarantines. Now, granted, that's for ones which HAVE been vaccinated just as with dogs and cats, but there are also multiple possible procedures listed for those which have an unknown vaccination history. Languages: believe it or not I HAVE been asked what "ferret" is in Klingon. Any Klingon speakers what to come up a name: maybe some that reflects "eats crumbs off my face", "puts whiskers up my nose", "lifts tail in corners (or in my shoe)"? Colloidal Silver: apparently there's nothing new so people can go to the references noted on both sides of the argument (since it is only fair that they be sure to read both sides before reaching a conclusion) and also get that info by searching past FMLs, and we can get on with other things since we know the two opposing camps are just going to butt heads. ;-) Dad got through his carotid surgery fine. Has a 6" neck incision with 12 staples. We have offered to buy him bolts to go along with them. We're all very relieved now that he's finally done it and hope for no further strokes. Steve's Dad, Evan still is having the fainting spells whenever they try to introduce light exercise after his by-passes last month. A lot of bad possible causes have been eliminated from the running so far at least. [Posted in FML issue 2886]