Well, Merlynn's a whole lot better now.  It turns out that the vet, while
removing the node on the pancreas, found some fluid in the body cavity and
had it sent off for analysis.  Said fluid was the result of a case of
cardiomyopathy.  Unfortunately Merlynn displayed no other outward symptoms,
so the diagnosis was not, shall we say, obvious.
 
We took the big guy back to the vet last Wednesday (3/27), and after X-rays
(and notification from Dr. Williams concerning the results of the tests on
the fluid), he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.  The reason he was having
so much trouble breathing was that his chest cavity was full of fluids.  The
vet took 90cc out of the poor bugger Thursday AM.  He's currently on
Lasix(sp?) and a heart medication, and seems to be recovering nicely.
 
Thanks for all the notes and comments.  Yer a great bunch!
 
Pete Ladd
 
"Ferrets are God's apology for cats."
[Posted in FML issue 1526]