From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2002-02-24 09:24:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Rapidly Balding Ferrets
On Sun, 24 Feb 2002 15:23:48 -0000
"bobnjacks" <bobnjacks@y...> wrote:
> For those who have experience with Adrenal problems, how long does it
> typically take for a ferret to lose its hair on its back and sides?
> Where does the hair loss usually begin? And at what age does this
> usually occur?
Mostly, I agree with Mike's answers to this. I've had two ferrets that
had adrenal quite young--Pertwee was one year old, Kerr Avon was a year
and a half old. My vet has done adrenal surgery on a six month old
recently, and yes, a tumor was present. I also know of ferrets who had
adrenal for the first time as old as eight. So, really, it can strike
at any age.
Hair loss is *usually* gradual, but Pertwee lost a whole lot all of a
sudden. Most of my guys started losing hair on their tails and it
spread from there. Romana never had any hair loss at all, but had a
swollen vulva and weight loss.
I realize that none of this is terribly helpful. Is your fert who is
losing hair showing any other symptoms? The ones to watch for are
aggressiveness, weight loss, and, in females, a swollen vulva. If you
have hair loss plus one or more of the others chances are you are
dealing with adrenal disease.
All the best,
Caity and the notorious nine