Also in Digest 38 you will find discussion of Prednisone side-effects:
 
The side-effects of long-term prednisone usage vary with the dosage.
Actually, ferrets are a steroid-resistant species, so at most dosages,
long term administration results in minimal side effects.  At higher
doses - 2 mg/lb or higher, prolonged usage may result in delayed healing,
ulcer formation (probably actually just retardation of healing), and
rarely signs of true Cushing's disease.
 
Dosease at 2mg/lb or higher are rarely used in ferrets, except as
palliative therapy for lymphoma, or in some cases of autoimmune disease,
such as pemphigus.  In such cases,we closely monitor for clinical signs,
but they are still rare.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
 
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[Posted in FML issue 3350]