Here's a question for the vets on the list, or anyone else in possession of the answer. In the last month Buddy (6-7 years old; adopted; very late neutering; somewhat arthritic; shedding a rough coat; minor left eye infection responding favorably to treatment--otherwise in perfect health) has developed what appears to be some sort of dermatitis, possibly seborrhoeic in nature, on his right rear foot. No other area of his body is affected, nor are any other animals in the household exhibiting similar symptoms. The area does not appear painful to touch, nor is the foot favored in play or other normal activities. Buddy does not exhibit repetitive licking behaviors, nor has he come into contact with any material which might have caused an allergic reaction (as far as can be determined with a ferret). He eats a normal diet, takes petromalt once a week, ferrettone every odd day, and the equivilent of two raisins in fruit and vegetable snacks per day. His stools are unremarkable. He weighs 3.2 lbs; an increase of 1.5 lbs since adoption, but has very little body fat except a thin covering over his lower abdomen. Muscle tone is very good. His mental attitude (aside from a lowered intelligence level possibly related to inbreding) is alert, playful, and unfearful. Rabies and distemper vacinations are up to date. Specific symptoms include a slightly reddened, raised appearence to the right rear foot pads, moderate cracking and scaling of the pads and interdigital webbing, some minor yellowish opaque pasty exudate (with associated stuck hair) that feels greasy to the touch, and an overall appearence of a slight (about 10-20%) thickening of the entire foot distal from the ankle. There is no difference in skin temerature between the affected and unaffected areas. Joint movement is basically unimpaired, although limited somewhat by the thickening of the foot pads. Plantar flexion of the phalanges is similarly limited. The pads of the other three paws are completely normal in appearence and function. My gut reaction is that this is probably some sort of a seborrhoeic or exudative dermatitis, perhaps a minor cellulitis, but I have not seen such things in mustelids before, and my vet is out of town for the next couple of weeks. This doesn't seem to be something of an emergency nature, so I have decided to wait until he gets back for specific treatment. I want to start application of a cortisone cream perhaps twice a day, and/or the application of vit. E to the pads. Any idea of safe strengths for ferret-use? Should I start antibiotics or otherwise worry about bacterial involvement? Or is my diagnosis dangerously stupid, and I need to get my bass in gear? (How's that for fishing for answers?) Any suggestions? Bob and the 13 Snake Weasels [Posted in FML issue 1491]