From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-07-24 23:09:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Ferrets with Goiter?
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., malboc@e... wrote:
> I have two ferrets, male and female, both have been fixed, both are
> in
> good health. They are active, playful, hyper, eating, drinking,
> sleeping, and uh...disposing of waste in the usual way with no
> oddness. However, they've both developed these "pockets" on the
sides
> of their necks, like extra folds of skin. Now, I've only had them
for
> just under a year and I'm learning as I go with the help of every
> book
> and opinion out there, but this has me rattled. It looks like they
> have goiter though it doesn't seem to phase them. It's been hot and
> humid...does this sound odd to anyone? They're both within 2 months
> of
> the same age. Any suggestions, please help...
Dear Malboc:
Well, I'm not sure what these extra "pockets" of skin are, but I can
tell you that they aren't goiter. Thyroid disease is rare enough in
ferrets to be forgettable, and as of yet, goiter has not been
identified in this species.
A picture in this case, though would be worth a thousand words.....
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams