To Andrea concerning Frito: >His skin is visible through his fur on his stomach and legs. This >isn't patchy bald spots, and his behavior is normal (although never quite as >energetic as Benny and Joon). Could this be adrenal >or thyroid? Or just &*&%$ MArshall Farms genetic screwup? (Frito was >abandoned by someone who adopted him from there.) >Also, how do you check for cardiomyopathy? Ultrasound? And what are the >symptoms? Andrea, this could possible be adrenal-related, however, you say it has been this way all of his life. Coats vary between individuals as does everything else. I have never seen a thyroid lesion in ferrets - I know that some are treated for thyroid, but since I've never seen a case of thyroid disease, I wonder if this is necessary or indicated in these cases... Cardiomyopathy is a relatively common problem in older ferrets. In some cases, all you will see is slight lethargy and exercise intolerance. As the disease progresses, there will be fluid builup in the abdomen and chest, marked lethargy, and ultimately coughing and difficulty breathing. The disease is first diagnosed genreally by a combination of clinical signs and survey X-rays of the chest and thorax, and then ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis. It is treatable in the early stages, but there is no cure, as the disease is irreversible and usually progressive. In the late stages, treatment (usually with diuretics and digitalis) is not very beneficial, as the disease generaly progresses at a rapid rate. Bruce Williams, DVM Department of Veterinary Pathology [log in to unmask] Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (202) 576-2453/2454 Washington, D.C. 20306-6000 [Posted in FML issue 0798]