From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-10-22 14:32:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Adrenal disease Q?
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., mandiedorweiler@h... wrote:
> Since our two ferrets (2yrs. & 1 1/2yrs.) both lost hair only on
> their tails within the same week, about a month ago, could it just
be
> seasonal coat changes? Our girl is already growing her hair back,
and
> she has no other signs of adrenal disease. Our boy only lost the
> undercoat hair, none of the long gaurd hairs. His hasn't started
to
> grow back as of yet. He itches a lot, that has been going on for a
> long time now. We are trying to figure out if we should spend the
$
> on Tenn. tests, or just wait and do surgery later.
Dear Mandy:
Tail hair loss is not necessarily a sign of adrenal disease - it may
also be a sign of stress, and can be seen seasonally as well. With
out any other hair loss, I am hesitant to ascribe any adrenal
significance to it. However, with the boy losing the undercoat,
losing tail hair, and doing a lot of scratching, my index of
suspicion for adrenal is much higher. This may be one to run the
Tennessee test on, so that you can get an early jump on treatment.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM