By Tara Whitehawk

Only your vet will be able to determine what a growth/lump/scab/etc might be. Mast Cell Tumors (MCT) are common in ferrets (a lump on the skin that can come and go anywhere on the body. MCTs are usually benign in ferrets, however, surgery is sometimes needed to remove the mass and have it biopsied as some can become problematic (become infected due to constantly breaking open from being scratched or bit), and some do become cancerous. Always have an experienced "ferret" vet examine any lumps, bumps, cysts, or scabs that pop up on your ferret without a known cause.

Here are some informational links (from reliable sources) so you may read up a little before going to the vet. :)

1. Ferret Skin Tumors, Cysts, Lumps and Abscesses [By Dr. Ron Hines DVM]
2. Ferrets: Lumps and Bumps on the Skin [Veterinary Partner Network]
3. Neoplasia of Ferrets [Merck Vet Manual]
4. Chordomas and Chondrosarcomas in Ferrets [Pet Med]
5. Lymphoma in Ferrets: A Diagnostic Challenge [by Natalie Antinoff, DVM, Diplomate ABVP (Avian Practice]