While playing with my youngest carpet shark (Noid, 4 1/2 months) I
noticed what appears to me a small lump under her skin.  It's located
about halfway between her head and her forelegs on the upper right
side of her neck.  The size of the lump is hard to determine, given
the amount of loose flesh that could be affecting my perception, but
I'd guess it was about 3 or 4 millimeters in approximate diameter --
it isn't necessarily round but that's my best guess as to a sphere
that would give a good estimation of its size.
 
I was unable to find a similar lump on the left side, and after
inspecting my other three ferrets, I concluded that it's at least a
little abnormal.  Wren and Fritter, my two oldest at about 7 months a
piece, didn't have any noticeable lumps that I could find.  Nybble,
who is 6 months old, had some sort of small features I could feel, but
they were symmetrical and not as large as the lump I found on Noid.
 
So, I'm a bit worried at this point.  My non-medically-trained
conclusion is that this is similar to the nodes humans have in their
necks, which often swell when one's body is fighting an infection.
However, I'd hate to be wrong and find out too late that it's
something worse, like one of the tumors ferrets are so prone to
develop.  BTW, I haven't noticed any other symptoms of a possible
illness.  She's as fiesty as ever, and she appears to be eating and
eliminating normally.
 
Even if this is an infection, what sort of steps should I take to help
her fight it?  I suppose this at least warrants a visit to the vet.  I
could possibly take her temperature myself, but offhand I don't
remember the 'normal' body temperature of ferrets.
 
Any help is appreciated.  In case this is more of a medical emergency
than I realize, and anyone needs to contact me quickly, my home phone
number is (214) 307-9420.  Feel free to reverse the charges...
 
BTW, in reference to the "ferret smuggling" conversation, I think it's
worth mentioning that I drove from Texas to California and back
without once having my car inspected.  Every station I encountered was
on an interstate, and my car has Texas plates, just FYI.  However, I
didn't have my carpet sharks with me.  I passed through several
inspection stations never stopping longer than the amount of time it
took for the officer there to hand me a tour guide and exchange
"hello"s.
 
Still, I wouldn't recommend risking your ferret's lives or at least a
hefty fine.  Concealing ferrets would be easy, but concealing a
suitable cage and various supplies is a different thing.
 
Greg
 
[Posted in FML issue 0373]