The best place I know for ferret kidney info is the archive for past FHL posts. Some of those also will appear in the FML archives as may others, and that addy is right in the header of every issue of the FML. There is a link to the archive search at the home page: http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth The direct address is: http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/ To read details about the sonic weasel site: http://www.smartgroups.com/message/readmessage.cfm?gid=1423922&messageid=345 Like the FML search engine this is a very easily used search engine with very clear instructions appearing right next to it. They differ but each is well designed with a huge amount of careful work put into the efforts. Wins! To get the most info besides searching under "kidney" and related words or word segments like "neph" do also search under "Champ". For insulinoma info go to http://geocities.com/sukieslist which I need to update and click on the sites written by vets since most have insulinoma info that is clear and current. There have been a lot of posts on insulinoma recently at the Ferret Health List; the URL is the first one given in this post. Heidi, use the FML search engine at http://listserv.cuny.edu/archives/ferret-search.html and search under "blackheads" and "rat-tail" to find numerous poists on this. Kara, With the fur loss and the pot belly as well as strong smell and rought fur I think that adrenal neoplasia is strongly indicated, but that does NOT equate to adrenal "cancer". While adrenal growths need to come out most are NOT malignant. When they are malignant adenocarcinomas that are caught early enough are cured by surgery. Lympho is more of a concern, but if this has been going on a while and you don't see other symptoms of that then the chances are reduced. BTW, the only way to conclusively diagnose that is by biopsy. Again, most adrenal growths are BENIGN. Why do they need to come out? The chemical compound cascade that results causes the prostate to swell and that can cause urinary blockage that can kill or can damage the kidneys. They can grow into nearby structures or press upon them. They can cause life-threatening anemia as a responnse tot he excess estrogen circulating. They can cause discomfort. They can cause social isolation when they affect behavior. Unless a ferret is not a surgical candidate they need surgery by a ferret vet. Secondary infections after ear mites will aso cause stench. He needs vet care for these, too. Has everyone seen the July/Aug edition of "Ferrets"? There is an excellent article there by vet, Bruce Williams on what is NOT cancer. (This is also a topic regularly covered here in Golden Oldies because it is one of the one for which the most confusion exists -- kind of like the confusion that exists about ADV in level :-) .) The article is the first in a series that will cover common growths. [Posted in FML issue 3858]