Message Number: SG11619 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2004-11-29 06:13:14 UTC
Subject: Hair loss Re: [ferrethealth] Digest 29 Nov 2004 03:35:34 -0000 Issue 851
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <df.7913bc1.2edc17fa@aol.com>

In a message dated 11/28/04 10:35:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,
ferrethealth-digest-help@smartgroups.com writes:
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.

"Blowing the coat", although it sounds dramatic, and can be so, does not
produce a bald ferret. It is copious shedding, but not to the point of seeing the
skin, and especially not to the degree you describe. You are giving
melatonin - I suspect that that is blocking the other adrenal symptoms as well,
although they do not have to be present - some ferrets just have one symptom.

It is possible for extremely poor nutrition or a severe infection with high
fever to produce hair loss, but the most likely cause is adrenal disease.

Dr. Ruth
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Puppies kiss better than most people.