Message Number: YG1806 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-03-28 00:03:00 UTC
Subject: Re: hair thinning and limp

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., sharon allen <echotally@y...> wrote:
> My 3 1/2 year old male sable Toby has experienced hair
> thinning over his left shoulder and back since last
> month....I took him to see our vet two weeks ago, we
> discussed the Tennessee panel; and decided to see if
> the hair thinning was seasonal and would start to
> reverse itself in the next few weeks.
> Today at playtime, Toby has a slight limp on his left
> back leg. He is playing and acting normally. Is this
> an indication that something is brewing? Should I ask
> for the bloodwork immediately?

The pattern of hair loss that you describe is not reallysuggestive of
a seasonal shed, but it probably won't hurt to wait a few weeks.

The limp is probably unrelated. I wouldn't take it as a sign that
something bad is on its way. Probably wouldn't hurt to keep him
quiet for a few days. In the vast majority of limps, mild rest often
helps quite a bit.


With kindest regards,

Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
Join the Ferret Health List at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-Health-list