Regarding the concern that ultrasound tests may not show adrenal tumors, and perhaps only if they are advanced....... This is the first I have heard of this concern. My vet who does the tests for the shelter, Dr. Kendrick, did mention to me that it takes quite alot of skill, both on the part of the one performing the test, AND the one reading the results to get accurate results. But it is done regularly at his clinic. [One more reason to be sure you find the *best* ferret vet possible, and *I* drive over one hour to get to him, even though there are dozens of vets that are only 10 minutes or so from me.] I have been using Dr. Kendrick for two years and the test has worked beautifully every single time for us, the tape of one particular test he did, is now being used for training purposes. We have found some pretty small tumors with the ultrasound, and according to Dr. Kendrick, it is not uncommon at all for adrenal tumors to be quite large/advanced *before* any outward signs are present that would cause a ferret owner to even see the vet. ***Do not put off adrenal surgeries, folks!! *** Also, I have just recently learned with Duchess that the vulva does not always swell, and with Sammy, there may not always be hairloss. The adrenal gland is a very complex organ, different symptoms appear depending on which part/layer of the gland is affected by the tumor. If you wait for *all* the right symptoms to appear, that may mean the tumor has completely consumed the entire gland, and it may be spreading to other organs. These tumors can spread quickly. If other organs become infected they can become inoperable altogether. [That is what happened to Rikki, misdiagnosed for a year before we got her so no surgery was done. Now she has a large tumor and her condition is inoperable, she is only 4.] This is just my opinion, I am sure not all will agree. But *I* will not have a surgery done without and ultrasound first, I have seen too many reasons they are important. They cost us more (I think $143 each), but it is worth the peace of mind!! With Duchess, we knew we had a tumor on the *right* side before we went in and that helped me to prepare...I DON'T like surprises!! An ultrasound test told us Cocoa's tumor had become cancerous and was too large to even consider putting her through surgery. The test *spared* her the trauma of sugery on top of being terminally ill, and I am glad for that. Kisses to all the fuzzies. Trish [Posted in FML issue 1640]