>A friend of mine had one of her ferts pass unexpectedly.  The strange
>thing was when she found her, her gums and paw pads had turned black.
>Does anyone have any idea what may have caused this?  The ferret was only
>2 and had checked out healthy at her annual exam just a few months ago.
 
A description of black pads in a ferret that passed unexpectedly may be a
bit of hyperbole, but very dark blue gums and pads indicates cyanosis -
this is not a specific finding but is a terminal finding in many diseases.
As the heart fails, the blood does not get oxygenated and the extremities,
nailbeds, pads, nose, and gums turn brick red, then purple (some people
say grey, and some say black - depends upon your outlook.)
 
In any case of unexpected deaths, the best answers are always gained by
doing an autopsy.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams,DVM
 
[Sukie note: there also have been situations involving poisonings and
infectious diseases in which necropsies provided needed information to
save others in the families.]
[Posted in FML issue 3562]