From:
sukiecrandall@telocity.com
Date: 2002-11-20 04:23:18 UTC
Subject: RE: Hair loss
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <27723234.1037766198943.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Okay, first off, are there any other symptoms? The loss of tail fur without the loss of body or limb fur is often from causes other than adrenal neoplasia.
Adrenal tumors usually aren't malignant, but that doesn't mean that they can't cause serious results if they aren't dealt with. With males inflammation of the prostate and trouble urinating (sometimes inability to urinate which is very dangerous) is one of them.
We do not usually do the test for high hormonal levels (the Tennessee Panel) but sometime do if we have a questionable individual. Normally, we wait for clear enough symptoms then have surgery.
With a ferret who has lost only tail fur adrenal neoplasia would not be the first thing I'd consider. You may want to go to the FHL archives at http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/ and look up "rat tail".
I am not a vet, but am someone with 20 years of experience with ferrets.