>Would someone explain to me in laymen language what a cystic kidney is? A cystic kidney has a large fluid filled hole - or multiple ones in it. They don't draining to the outside, and the remainder of the kidney functions normally. But if the amount of kidney replaced by this cyst exceeds 66%, the normal function of the kidney is impaired (however, if the other kidney is normal, the ferret will do fine.) With kindest regards, Bruce Williams, DVM >If a cystic kidney has a hole in it, filled with fluid, what would >cause it to break and how long would that ferret have to live after >breakage? Dear X: I've never actually seen a cyst rupture, and I believe our files section has the largest cyst I have ever seen. The kidney has a very tough capsule around it, which is very resistant to rupture. How long would a ferret last - probably a matter of days. Urine leakage causes peritonitis. With kindest regards, Bruce Williams, DVM [Posted in FML issue 3664]