If it is a true cold (a rhinovirus) then ferrets don't get those. They DO share two thing with humans which people can confuse with colds: bacterial sinus infections (which are very commonly mistaken for colds), and influenza (which can appear like a cold if mild). Lump on tail: read up on chordomas at http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html to see if that looks like what you are seeing. It may be down for maintenance today More info: http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org [Posted in FML issue 4411]