Renee, one thing that adrenal neoplasia is known for is causing fatty deposits. On very rare occasion it can even cause fatty deposits in the thoracic cavity which is not good for lungs or heart. It is quite common for such adrenal-related fatty deposits to wind up around nodes or in the abdomen. It always pays to check, of course, as you already know, still this may be useful info to have. Of course, when in question, pull a node for biopsy to check for lymphoma, and always remember that systemic infection will blow up multiple nodes. Just so folks know, the vets and the consulting specialists are starting to use the phrase "end stage heart failure" for Sev-wever (Seven of Six) who is approaching her 4th month of Level 3 A/V Heart Node Block (a very rare problem in ferrets which can happen in rare susceptible ferret when insulinoma starts up -- I know of only a handful of individuals), but how long she has left no one knows. She is pain-free, tired, but happy. I just got a call so we're going to trying the Enacard at increased frequency since she does perk up some with it She is in the process of slowly dying so the risk factor is in the wash now. Sevie isn't a pacemaker candidate for other reasons, having two other serious limiting problems and being of unknown age somewhere over 5 years. She could be anywhere from 5 into her 7th year; looks good enough that she likely is not as old as 8. There are 4 categories of A/V Heart Node Block (two of them in Level 2). Level 1 usually is just there and the animals live a normal lifespan though meds may be helpful. Level 1 can revert of normal. Level 2 is worse but should be treated and can revert. Level 2 Sinus needs meds and will progress at some point to Level 3. Sometimes this more problematic form of Level 2 will go back and forth from 2 to 3 for a while as meds are adjusted. In Level 3 the electrical communication and timing between chambers has completely failed which is why it is called "complete" interchangeably with "Level 3". One thing we have learned -- as has another person (very knowledgeable) with a different ferret who has a different brochiodilator than we are using -- is that the bronchiodilators can be given at slightly higher levels than thought when a ferret worsens, so the consulting cardiologists know that now to help any later ones who need that info, and we also learned that Enacard in conjunction with the brochiodilator (which also improves conductivity which is why it is given) can be useful if the individual is like Sevie. Anyway, right now I am trying to not be upset, so if I seem shut off a bit emotionally right now I have to do that right now to best serve her needs. Okay? I had to learn to do that when i was caring for my mother in her last year and sometimes it just is essential to put oneself in the background, but it's not something to worry about because I DO know that i am actively suppressing emotions -- so am not at the emotional risk that happens when people don't realize that -- and that I need to right now. When she passes I can imagine her playing with great big "ferret-mousies" (large ferret stuffed toys) and have a cry; I'll also imagine her piddling less because she doesn't like all the diuretic piddling. Meanwhile, we will try balancing meds and see if we can get her some more happy time. Wobble walk: check the blood glucose and have a general vet check with a CBC with chemistry panel. Weak hind end and wobble walk are general symptoms which are brought on by many things, but insulinoma is the most common one. Yes, they can get arthritis and you'll find discussions of this in the Ferret Health List (FHL) and its archives: http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/ You can scratch the displasia idea; they normally have loose joints. [Posted in FML issue 3939]