Bloodwork is NOT diagnostic of malignancies in ferrets.  At one time
Susan Brown thought it might have that potential with lymphoma but
instead it indicates that there might be lympho OR there might be strong
infection.  Not everyone caught the follow-up stuff on that.  Biopsies
studied by a pathologist or oncologist who is used to ferrets are
diagnostic.  So, I will hope with hope with you that it is not a
malignancy; meanwhile this should help your fears be a bit lower in the
meantime.
 
BTW, if you go to the FHL archives and search under the topic Champ"
as well as under "kidney" and other key words you'll find a lot about
various kidney problems and approaches for them.  The FHL librarian and
co-moderator, Pam Sessoms, and her hubby Eric put in a lot of hours
working up a very friendly and very searchable format there for finding
health info.  When I used it for a compilation it drastically cut down
my search time and was much more accurate than the past one had been.
It's really great and is something to bookmark!
 
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/
 
Even if you have never used a search engine before the easily read
instructions right there will take you through it so comfortably that
you will feel like an old pro in no time at all!
 
There is only one USDA approved rabies vaccine for ferrets and that is
Imrab 3 which is made by Merial.  Merial also has a safer new vaccine for
canine distemper which uses a recombitek approach.  Your vet should ask
for Purevax Canine Distemper Vaccine for ferrets.  Costs a bit more but
it's worth it.
 
Sukie
For health info:
http://www.sukieslist.com (which I have to update)
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth (the second location
of the FHL after we moved from the old site -- though I still don't
have the new addy in the resource list
[Posted in FML issue 3851]