Vets - here is a path from MSU Lab on Festus who died about a week after exploratory surgery (well before these results came back!) A little help putting it in plain english? "History: ferret has had chronic diarrhea with weight loss. Diagnosis: 1. Mild to moderate, lymphoplasmacytic and eosinophilic colitis with mild suppurative vasculitis between the tunica muscularis interna and externa; 2. mild, lymphoplasmacytic duodenitis. Slides: 1 examined Prognosis: See comments Comments: In the sections of colon, there are scattered lymphocytes, plasma cells and eosinophils in the lamina propria. Between the tunica muscularis interna and externa, there is a mild infiltrate of neutrophils around the vessles. The cause of this vasculitis or the colitis could not be determined on histopathology. In the duodenum, there is a mild infiltrate of lymphocytes and plasma cells with a few eosinophils in the lamina propria. There is an increase in the mitotic activity in the crypt ephithelial cells, and the mucosal epithelium is slightly hyperplastic. Special stains are negative for campylobacter-like organisms. The changes inthe intestine are minimal, and do not appear severe enought to explain the clinical signs. Furhter diagnostic testing, including rebiopsing the intestines, is recommended if the clinical signs persist or progress. " The preceeding situation was: A 4 ferret home. 2 rescue ferrets were brought in - healthy. After they left some green mucosy poop was noticed - thought to be Houdini. This appeared to clear up after a few days. More mucosy poop was noticed - thought to be Festus. Was narrowed down to definetaly Festus when it didn't clear up. Dramatic weight loss and diarrhea followed by trip to vet. No response to antibiotics followed by increased and severe lethergy, not eating, continued diarrhea etc. Going downhill fast. Exploratory surgery performed for samples - everything looked more or less ok. Festus lived for a week on forced feedings - never recovered enough to move more than a little. Diarrhea was urine like. Yes there was diarrhea but it didn't really look like ECE. The rescue ferrets never displayed any symptoms and remain health to this day. Any ideas? Miss Mary [Posted in FML issue 1641]