Tucson arrived as a stray in sorry shape in July of 2001. We thought all he needed to be healthy again was a steady supply of good quality food, but his stool was never normal and it showed signs of blood. He slowly became less active. After extensive exams, medications, blood tests, and x-rays the vet thought he might have a hairball that was preventing his stomach from healing and so it seemed that exploratory surgery was his only option. Tucson had become very anemic from blood loss by this point, so he needed a blood transfusion to survive the surgical procedure. A young shelter ferret volunteered to provide the needed material. Tucson survived the surgery, but did not have anything in his stomach. He did have a very abnormal stomach and the report from the pathologist said it was a condition rarely seen in dogs and never before in ferrets. The treatment for dogs with this disorder consists of removing the affected part of the stomach. Unfortunately all of Tucson's stomach is abnormal. The vets are trying anything they can think of to stop the bleeding, but currently Tucson remains very anemic and his future is not bright. Tucson is spending quality time with his former foster mom who is giving the best time possible in his remaining time with us. He still enjoys shaking his rattle mouse, getting a good neck and back scratch, and frequent doses of nutri-stat and ferretone.