Message Number: YG9979 | New FHL Archives Search
From: kellyjbowlin
Date: 2002-01-10 00:16:00 UTC
Subject: Itchiness and tail balding

Wendy is a very itchy girl all over her body and I'm wondering why
she is itching so much. She has always itched since I brought her
home, but it seems like it has been getting progressively worse as
the year has gone on. Do ferrets itch a lot? I know that she does
not have fleas. I've checked her over and over for them because that
seems to be the most obvious resason for an itch on a furry animal,
but that just doesn't seem to be the case for her.

She now (and I'm guessing it's from the itchiness) has two strips on
the topside and underside of her tail that have no hair. They're
both about 2 inches long and about a mm. wide at the most. I'm a bit
worried that it might be a symptom of adrenal disease even though
she is only 10 months old.

She has been shedding more than usual lately, but no bald spots or
anything that looks like it could turn into a bald spot(I think it
might just be the change of seasons finally catching up with her).
She has little brown specks at the tip the underside of her tail
where there is no hair which makes me wonder if possibly she could
have something called rattail.

I was wondering if anyone might know what this could be and/or if
you could refer me to a good vet in the Cincinnati, Ohio area or the
Oxford, Ohio area (where I live)that might be able to figure out
what is going on with her. I would really appreciate your help!

Sincerely from a worried Mommy,
Kelly