Message Number: YG9101 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Caitlyn Máire Martin
Date: 2001-12-01 11:53:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] My ferret is losing hair in his
tail

Hi, Victor,

The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet, and I am not qualified to diagnose Mustafa. I, have, however, had more than my share of adrenal disease.

> Hi, my name is Victor I´m from Costa Rica, my wife and I own a
> ferret
> (mustafa - like one of the 40 thieves of Ali-Baba), and he is losing
> hair in the bottom of his tail.

That is the most common place for hair loss to start in adrenal disease. However, before I would jump to conclusions I would wait to see if the hair loss continues and spreads. There could be other explanations. The sexual behavior also sounds like adrenal, if that really is what he is doing, but again, ferrets seem to do some strange looking things sometimes.
>
> If adrenal disease should be the case, is it safe to take it to a
> normal vet, or should he have previous experience with ferrets in
> order to proceed.

If this does turn out to be adrenal disease Mustafa definitely needs to see a vet with experience in doing adrenal surgeries. If it turns out to be a right adrenal tumor (about 15% of cases) or both glands (5% of cases) you are looking at a very difficult surgery. The right adrenal gland attaches to the vena cava, the main vein to the heart. I have heard horror stories about inexperienced vets cutting the vena cava and killing the ferret. I know that if Mustafa were mine, I would do all I could to find a vet with experience, specifically with right adrenal surgeries. Hopefully there is at least one with that experience in Costa Rica.
>
> After reading some in the internet I´m really worried. Has anyone
> seen this kind of behavior before, and should I worry.

Maybe, maybe not. Adrenal disease is the single most common serious ailment our fuzzies get. I think you need to be prepared if it turns out that Mustafa has adrenal.

The good news is that *if* it is adrenal, an experienced vet can cure it with surgery. We've had seven adrenal surgeries in our business (five left, two right) and two more coming up. All 10 of our ferrets are still here. Ryo-Ohki, who had her right adrenal gland removed on Thursday, doesn't know anything is wrong any more. Our biggest problem right now is keeping her from being too active and pulling a stitch. She's bilateral now; both glands are gone. Still, she really seems to be doing brilliantly, and is as playful as ever.

Good luck!

All the best,
Caity and the terrific 10
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