To Scott Maitland:
 
        The type of growth that you describe sounds like a mast cell tumor,
     a common benign skin tumor of the ferret.  Affected ferrets may
     develop several of them over the course of a lifetime.  There are some
     other benign growths that may look similar grossly, so microscopic
     evaluation is always the best solution.
 
        Suggest that your vet send the sample by one of the commercial
     services - that way it is always traceable.
 
       Bruce Williams, DVM                 Department of Veterinary Pathology
       [log in to unmask]         Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
       OR [log in to unmask]           Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
            (202) 782-2600/2602
[Posted in FML issue 1153]