Dr. Michael Dutton, DVM, writes:

    There is no one test for a general check-up. There are not even
    tests that are specific for some certain diseases. The following
    is a list of some example tests for common ferret diseases, but in
    case of some multi-systemic diseases (such as heart disease), they
    may not show all the abnormalities.

    TESTS THAT ARE SPECIFIC FOR ONE DISEASE

    insulinoma - resting blood glucose and insulin level 
        (see the Ferret Insulinoma FAQ [1.1])
    hyper adrenal disease - the Univ. of Tenn. ferret adrenal panel 
        (see the Ferret Adrenal Disease FAQ [1.1])
    ovarian remnant - estrogen
    urinary tract infection - urinalysis
    urinary bladder stones - x-ray
    bone fractures - x-ray

    TESTS THAT HELP DETERMINE A PARTICULAR ORGAN FUNCTION
    (may not be specific to cause, prognosis, etc.)

    heart disease  - auscultation, x-ray, ultrasound
        (see the Ferret Cardiomyopathy FAQ)
    malignant lymphoma - physical exam, biopsy 
        (see the Ferret Lymphosarcoma FAQ)
    masses - physical exam, biopsy
    spleen masses - physical exam, biopsy 
        (see the Ferret Splenomegaly (Enlarged Spleen) FAQ)

    The problem with biopsies is that you need to biopsy the correct
    tissue.  That may not be possible such as some type of spinal cord
    or brain lesion.  Intestinal diseases are easy to biopsy by
    surgical methods but that entails anesthesia (which may be risky
    to an ill ferret) and major abdominal surgery.  So...  you have a
    number of difficulties from the medical side to run a test for
    general health.  Even if you can target a specific area, there may
    not be a definitive test and the owner needs to agree to costs,
    risks, etc.

    THE ADVICE DISPENSED BY MYSELF IS NOT MEANT TO SUPPLANT THE ADVICE
    OF VETERINARIANS WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF THE PATIENT.  IF THE PATIENT
    IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER THE CARE OF A VETERINARIAN, THE CLIENT IS
    RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THEIR FERRET TO ONE.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

13. *** Medical reference material ***