From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-08-01 22:39:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Taz & Jazz Abnormal Tail
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Erin Elizabeth Martin"
<Fiona1025@h...> wrote:
> Both of my ferrets are females, both albinos and both about a year
> and a half old. I've owned them for a year now. About a month ago
I
> noticed the skin on their tails at the very tip (spanning about 1/4
> of an inch) was darker than the rest of there body, like a brown to
> dark brown color (something I don't ever remember seeing before). I
> thought maybe their tails were dirty but when I gave them a bath it
> didn't help. The hair on the tip of the tail also seems to be
> thinning but other than that there have been no other changes.
They
> both are still pretty active and there personalities haven't
changed
> a bit. They show no signs of being sick, other than the outward
> appearance of their tails. The only thing I've done differently in
> the past couple of months, is I've started taking them outside on
> leashes, just once in a while, not very often. I live in Germany,
my
> husband is stationed here, and we got the ferrets here in Germany.
> I'm hoping to gain some insight as to what is wrong with their
tails
> if anything at all.
Dear Erin Elizabeth:
I am also not sure if there is anything wrong with them. It may
simply be part of their shed, a bit of stress resulting in rat tail
and blackhead formation, or nothing at all. This is a case I would
recommend no treatment at this time, but just good observation. I
don't think that a bit of fresh air would be causing this noticeable
(but perhaps not pathologic change.)
Take a deep breath and enjoy the fresh air yourself...
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM