From:
"Carol Owens"
Date: 2004-11-28 06:45:25 UTC
Subject: hair loss
To: "ferret health list" <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <ENEEJMNBHCJKCHHNGNDDIEGNCLAA.queenbee@gain.com>
I have a male silver that came to our shelter October 14, totally naked
except for some fur on his head and feet. After about a week I started
giving him 1 mg of melatonin, crushed and made tasty with Ferretone, and
it's usually around suppertime- 6 pm or later. After just a few days he
started to sprout little tufts on his shoulders and now it's all over and
about half the final length. I also keep them very dark at night, with black
curtains on the windows and the door closed, but it's not uninterrupted. He
has surgery scheduled on December 7. His behavior is normal, very playful,
no humping, ear sucking, etc. I wonder if it is possible that the hair loss
might be a seasonal drop, blowing his coat. I've heard of that and seen some
with some loss but not this much. I would hate to put him through surgery if
it could be seasonal. Should I wait and see? I'm trying to contact the
former owner to ask when the hair loss started. Ultrasound or the Tennessee
panel might be considered, but I'd rather put the money in to the surgery.
Thanks for any ideas.
Carol Owens, Ferret Friends, Tucson