Hi all-- I disagree with the anonymous poster who "waited out" the swollen vulva. A female non-breeding ferret with a swollen vulva should be seen by a vet. Especially if she is supposed to be spayed. Two good reasons that I can think of: 1) The adrenal people know what they're talking about. Adrenal disease causes hormone changes and I suspect these levels can fluctuate and the disease "back off" to prepare for a stronger attack. Whatever--I'm not sure how it all works physiologically . . . but cancers don't always progress steadily. Perhaps the antibodies in the ferret stave off the symptoms for a time. That doesn't mean the animal is desease free. 2) Personal experience--I had a ferret that was an early spay from Marshall, and she went into heat. The vet found one ovary removed, the other intact. He told me that they spay so early that it's possible the organs weren't developed enough to be seen and removed, or that growing ovarian tissue was left behind. My girl was 1/2 spayed, and she did go into heat. And she could have contratcted aplastic anemia. He finished the spay even though she was currently in heat, and she made a perfect recovery from the surgery within a day. I suggest a female ferret with unexpected vulva swelling be seen by a vet to find out what's going on. --Sheri [Posted in FML issue 2439]