From:
ferretkrazi
Date: 2002-01-10 12:11:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Itchiness and tail balding
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "kellyjbowlin" <kellybelly1@h...>
wrote:
> 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?
Hi Kelly,
Yes, they do itch a lot especially in the drier weather, but they
tend to get itchier when exhibiting symptoms of adrenal disease.
> 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.
Sad to say this, but it does sound suspicious... Two of my girls
from Path Valley developed adrenal symptoms at the age of 10 months -
itchiness, balding around the abdominal area, slight lethargy
(considering their normal activity level), muscle atrophy and a
thinning, drying coat. Neither had a swollen vulva. I could also
see shiny, fish scale-ish skin on their hind quarters and across
their backs. (Something I've seen on all of my adrenal ferrets.)
Both girls had surgery at the age of 1 year old and BOTH girls had to
have bilateral adrenalectomies. (Meaning both glands were affected
and had to be removed.) It's not completely out of the question that
poor Wendy is suffering from adrenal disease as well, even at this
VERY young age. Does she have any other symptoms? Swollen vulva,
lethargy, loss of muscle tone, dry & thinning coat, increased
aggression?
>
> 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).
You did mention that she had a bald spot at her tail though, right?
> 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.
That's very possible too! In this case, a picture or two of her and
her tail/balding spots might possibly help. Sometimes you can really
see those blackheads. You might try washing her tail with some
gentle but effective anti-blemish face wash. I like Clean 'N Clear
Anti-Blemish foaming face wash. When Mya had rat tail, I used it 3
times a week on her tail with warm water and a soft tooth brush to
gently scrub up the blackheads. Then I followed up with one of those
Noxema face cleaner pads. It took about a month of treatment for the
hair to come back but it did and now she looks fine again.
> 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
I live up closer to Cleveland so I don't know any vets in your area.
However, you can refer to this list to find ones located near you.
http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html
Here are two located in Cincinnati, though you'll need to double
check and verify that they are still there. (Perhaps someone else on
the list can make a suggestion from personal experience.)
Glenway Animal Hops / Cin
Diana D Cron
6272 Glenway Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45211
513-662-0224
vet
baddc@a...
Colerain Animal Clinic
Dr. Kim Witalis, DVM
6340 Colerain Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45239
513-923-4400
vet
I'm not a vet. Having not actually seen Wendy, I can't say for sure
what I would do. Out of my six ferrets still with me, five of them
have had *all* adrenal tissue removed due to this crummy disease.
Only one remains with her adrenals because she's only 9 months old.
I'm hoping that purchasing her from a breeder will help beat the
odds. With more experience than I would like, I can see why you're
questioning Wendy's situation. I would recommend a visit to a ferret
knowledgeable vet. He or she would be able to determine whether or
not you're seeing the onset of adrenal disease or something just as
simple as rat tail. Either way, best of luck to you and Wendy. If
you get a chance, you may want to post a picture of her balding spot
by her tail. It couldn't hurt and someone might be able to help with
a diagnosis.
Sincerely,
Erin Simkins