From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-04-02 00:25:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Oily fur
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., edjon7404@t... wrote:
> Good afternoon,
>
> I adopted a ferret 5 years ago due to the fact the owners were going
> to release it into the wilds (where I didn't think it could survive
> after being reared in captivity). I have been feeding it a high
grade
> of cat food, of which it devours about 12 ounces every 24 hours.
> the food(turky,chicken,beef,and chciken liver/hearts) is
supplemented
> with feritone and ferretvite.
> Lately His fur has become extremly oily, and I'm wondering if this
is
> a symptom of a problem.
It may be, or it may not be. I would start with a good bath, and see
how quicly the oil builds up. My one concern hereis that of adrenal
disease - in males, it causes a return to the behavior and rarely to
the appearance of an intact male - marking, mounting, the whole bit.
Oily fur may be consistent with this type of change. Look also for
thinning of the hair as well.
While it is probably nothing, it never hurts to be on the lookout for
a problem.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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