>is there any way to tell the difference by touch between fat pads and >swollen lymph nodes, in this case in the armpit area? Or is analysis of >a sample the only way to know for sure? I've read that fat pads can be >hard to differentiate from swollen lymph nodes, but would fat pads occur >naturally in the armpit area? Dear XXXXXXX: It is very difficult indeed to tell the difference between fat pads and enlarged nodes, and many vets end up biopsying fat. In very general rules - enlarged nodes are generally hard, and fat is generally soft and mushy. But it can be very tricky, and an aspirate or a biopsy often is required. In an older animal, which tends to put down fat around the nodes, especially in the proximity of the legs, I think I would proceed a bit more slowly, and probably go with an aspirate in this case. With kindest regards, Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP Join the Ferret Health List at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list [Posted in FML issue 3415]