From:
Karen Purcell, DVM
Date: 2001-08-01 15:12:00 UTC
Subject: Re: YIKES!! Pulling out hair
Carol,
In your response to Mike,
> --- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Mike Janke" <mjanke@m...> wrote:
> > Are you sure he's actually pulling it out? Do you see him doing
> > this? Ferrets can get ringworm, but I couldn't say whether or not
> > this is what you're seeing.
> >
> > Mike
>
>
> Hi mike:
> What I have seen him so is this, he leans up against something on
> his back and whith his hand (front paw) looks like he combs it and
> then lick, lick, lick, then combs more and licks more. and then no
> more fur, just like it was shaved. Really wierd. But was sure
> interesting to watch. I have to give him petromalt hairball remedy a
> lot cause his doodies are black and tarry filled with fur. I
> disected one to see.
Black tarry stools indicate GI bleeding - this fellow needs to see
a vet! Ulcers, a hairball or other disease needs to be investigated
here. Adrenal disease is also a possibility, as that can increase
itchiness.
BTW, ferrets can certainly get ringworm. Just keep them out of the
mud (ringworm is a fungus most prevalent in damp soil).
-Dr. Karen
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