While there are some cases of JL (Lymphoblastic form of lymphoma) which have progressed slowly they are extremely rare and usually in the even more rare cases where this form of lymphoma appears in an adult ferret. Days to weeks after symptoms until death is far more common with the average being two weeks from beginning of symptoms to death according to a past paper by a highly respected ferret pathology expert. If the other veterinarians who have reviewed this case as consultants are not ferret pathology experts you may be fortunate enough to have this instead be an infection. Remember, too, that there will even be some ferret experts who have not encountered JL since lymphoblastic lymphoma is one of the more rare forms of lymphoma. What you described can be consistent with some types of infections, even more so than with the usual presentations of JL since this is long time frame, the progress has been slow, and the thoracic changes mentioned did not include an enlarged thymus but instead just mention swelling. See if some experts on ferret pathology such as those at Michigan State agree with the JL conclusion. I will hope for you that this case with its very unusual presentation is instead an infection that is responsive to medication. Another possibility that has to be strongly considered with this description and timing is heartworm. It is a good fit. That requires prompt and correct treatment, but even then if left too long it can be fatal. This remains the best article I know on that extremely serious illness: http://www.miamiferret.org/heartworm.htm Either a serious thoracic infection or heartworm will also be serious diagnoses that must be eliminated as possibilities and treated correctly for survival. This time of year many vets will also want to eliminate the possibility of allergies from the things which can progress that slowly and cause inflammation. Allergies can be very serious depending on the level and type of allergy. Sukie (not a vet) Ferrets make the world a game. Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.miamiferret.org/ http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/ all ferret topics: http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html "All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow." (2010, Steve Crandall) A nation is as free as the least within it. [Posted in FML 7817]