From:
Vicki Montgomery
Date: 2006-12-08 14:46:43 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Due season - Great question
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Robert that question is really a good one. When is Due season? Well Due Season should be if no other time - the next molt, shed, coat change/switchup.
Unfortunately that is not always the case. Ferrets grow hair all year long just as we do and not just in the spring and fall shedding seasons... so regrowing hair can take place quite soon after a surgery or, mysteriously, not at all.
I don't think the mystery of "why wont' my ferret grow new hair now that the surgery is over" - is really a mystery. If someone has studied this they should be able to tell us more factually, but I offer another opinion.
Christian, who we are at present saving from an unknown bacteria (I refuse to acknowledge a possible death and he hasn't been outside nor does he play in the planters) - two years ago had a super huge spleen, which extended down to his knees and doubled back up, and an insulinoma tumor removed from his pancreas two years ago.
His tail went bald from the base to about 1/2 the distance toward the tip of his tail. This was a gradual, but noticable, movement. His doctor kept telling me to wait and see what happens with the next shed. Well after 4 sheds now he still has no hair on his tail from midshaft up to his butt, but this does not involve his legs, hips or trunk (body) in any way - just his tail.
My latest hypothesis is that there are some adrenal cells in there somewhere that are --uh-- misbehaving. They are not acting like they should, thus giving us a bit of hair loss - on the tail. After palpating Christian, his doctor feels nothing serious enough to warrant surgery and with his present poor condition (he and another ferret both nose-dived with their weight and overall health around Thanksgiving - neither have the same cause both are recovering).
So in my mind it is entirely possible that the hormonal imbalance created by the early spay/neuter (which I don't totally buy), and the artificially lit world we have created along with very poor diets (which I totally buy) causes a prewarning via symptoms of tail hair thinning and hair loss.. Early onset adrenal disease.
But to draw a more informed hypothesis we need people to record when they noticed tail hair loss, how extensive the loss is, how long the area remained thin or bare, how old the ferret was when hair loss began (or when they first noticed it), what the ferret is eating (all of it.. the M&M they sneak too), what the ferret is drinking (I.E. bottled vs tap), where the ferret sleeps (environment, temps, bedding, light exposure, caged or free choice), where the ferret plays, and origin info if possible.
While this would appear to be a survey it actually needs to be multiple case studies with the cooperation of as many ferrets and their humans a possible.
HELLO.. any one wanna play?
Oh and your original question? So when is due season.. sigh.. get him a melatonin implant or give him oral melatonin and you will have your due season.
Vicki
Robert Gailor <buckyii@msn.com> wrote:
But the Vet's office ssaid it would return in due season... when is due season???
Vicki Montgomery
Tricks and Treats Rescue
Greater Houston/Galveston Texas
713-472-6599
ferretfrenzy@yahoo.com or Tricksandtreatsrescue@yahoo.com
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/FerretCare/ - Join ferret care and share your care experiences
"Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace." ~ Dr. Albert Schweitzer
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