From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2001-05-08 01:29:00 UTC
Subject: Re: itchy, skinny ferret
Jayson, itching occurs with an assortment of things like mast cell
tumors, skin growths (which a scraping can find), some insect
parasites, adrenal growths, and with fur loss and re-growth. The
last two are normal for this time of year. It can also happen with
allergies which is why the vet tried Benedryl; in humans the effect
of Benedryl is only a matter of hours so it would not be seen as a
permanent solution but instead as a way to reduce symptoms until the
allergens went away. Weight loss of only 3 ounces in a healthy male
of reasonable weight is not a real worry at this time of year. A
chunk of that could even be waste if he had not defecated and
urinated just before his last weighing, but had before this one. If
he gets relief with the Benedryl you may as well try it for a while
in case there is a seasonal allergen that will soon go away on its
own; then keep it in the back of your mind for next year in case that
is alos a bad pollen season. Meanwhile, watch him for signs of other
things such as scabbing, bald areas, or difficulty urinating. The
last is something to run to the vet fast about.