Some common symptoms which may of may not be seen together (expression of symptoms is variable and it's possible to have adrenal growths with no symptoms, too, having been there): Fur loss: there are some "signature patterns" like loss over the sacrum, or on the tops of the feet, or the top of the head, but in general any bilateral fur loss that is beyond that of normal shedding during shedding seasons, or is beyond normal for non-shedding season during those times is suspect. There can be other causes: some rare ones bald with age, parasites (dangerous in their own right) can cause it, fungal disease that needs to be treated can cause it, etc. Usually, though, it's a adrenal growth. Fortunately, most of these are not malignant though they do need surgical intervention. Vulva swollen: the high levels of hormones (It typically is a hyper-estrogen situation in ferrets rather than the Cushings that is seen in dogs.) tends to cause the vulva to swell. It may also cause vaginal infections. Urinary problems: urinary infections can occur. In males the prostate may swell; this can sometimes happen very suddenly causing an acute blockage that requires immediate emergency care to save the ferret's life. Behavioral changes: The behavior of the affect animal may alter due to the increases in hormones, or the behavior of other toward that animal may change for the same reason. Odor: the smell may change or become much pronounced. Skin and fur: with loss of the undercoat and the oil gland sometimes changing in their output the fur will feel more coarse and may even feel dirty. The skin can develop more problems: more eruptions, more orange dried oil spots, more wrinkles, and thinner appearance. Shape: as with old age the ferret can become more pear shaped. Diagnosing and treating: best thing is to have an exploratory and remove the affected gland. If you aren't sure you can always discuss the option of trying a run or two or Lupron to see if the symptoms improve because if they do it's adrenal and needs to be tackled. Alternatively, there is the Tennessee Panel blood test. Ultrasounds tend to have a high chance of being inaccurate. Though there is some risk with surgery and with post-op times it is much safer than it was in the early years with few lost (We personally so far haven't lose any ferrets in surgery or in post-op days in over 19 years.), and many IMPORTANT post-op tips can be found in the FML archives (See Bill's notes in the heading section), the FML archives in Yahoogroups, and in past editions of "Modern Ferret", esp. in the article by Alicia. For reassurance of what is or is not "cancer" I suggest that folks check the FML archives for cross-posts I brought over on "definitions". There is a lot of reassuring factual information in there. [Posted in FML issue 3583]