Both here and in private mails I keep reading of MANY ferret with pneumonia in the last month or so. We have not had that here ourselves so I'm afraid that all we can offer are standard nursing tips, advice to NEVER put off getting to a vet whenever there is any breathing problem, and emotional support for those who write to us. Vets, have you been seeing an unusual number of cases of pneumonia or am I just noticing them more? (My worry is that it may not be an anomaly and that there may be a strain more suited to ferret lungs going around.) Owners: DO NOT wait to get your critters to a vet when breathing problems happen. That symptom in itself can be fatal, and the causes are serious ones. Are they treatable? Usually, YES! Caught early enough and with enough supportive care given (antibiotics, rehydration, electrolytes, good diet, etc.) pneumonia is survivable. There are also some folks here who waited longer than they would now (since they know better now) whose ferrets are recovering so remember that ferret are tough if they just get a little help. Another possible cause is ascites which can happen as a secondary problem with several things. Not all of those health problems are survivable but many can be controlled well enough to permit a long time of comfortable and happy life (as oppossed to a rapid slide into disability and death without treatment). Remember that some ferrets (including a ten year old) managed an extra year with cardiomyopathy with treatment and that Dick and Joan Bossart have one going on her second year with it -- a lot better than getting more and more tired over an month or two and dying blown up like a water balloon with fluid in and around the lungs from ascites. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR GETTING YOUR FERRET TO A CAPABLE VETERINARIAN WHEN IT IS ILL! When we have one with a breathing problem we do not wait even an hour; we pay the emergency care fee and have the problem treated immediately to save their lives. This is essential! (Ditto bleeding problems, dehydration, or other immediately dangerous situations.) PLEASE, folks, it scares the heck from me when I see folks try to substitute the list for actual veterinary care, especially in a potentially life threatening situation. Sukie (We have a rough write-up on our experiences with cardiomyopathy and what worked to help Meltdown and Ruffle available to those who need it.) [Posted in FML issue 2095]