From:
brandy.a@accesscomm.ca
Date: 2005-04-09 18:01:30 UTC
Subject: RE: Gypsy''s Tail is bald!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <28652556.1113086254028.JavaMail.nobody@vanadium.smartgroups.com>
Sounds like Rat Tail to me. If it is, it is a dermatology problem that will take care of
itself. The hair follicles become plugged but they dislodge on their own when new
hair growth begins. I have a 3-year-old DEW sprite that this has happened to twice.
However, it if it at the base of the tale (near her butt), it could be adrenal disease. I
would talk to a vet who is sympathetic. Whoever you take her to for rabies and
distemper vaccinations should be able to answer your question.
Or, take a picture of it and send it to me at zzbrandy@lycos.com. I'll let you know if
it is rat tail or not.
Brandy
[Moderator's Note: some ferrets with rat tail do wind up with it as a first sign of
adrenal growths, so be sure to watch for fur loss elsewhere and other possible
adrenal growth symptoms.]