From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2008-01-26 18:04:52 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: itching...
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Ferrets do NOT hibernate, nor do they even go into the lesser seasonal torpor.
Like us they can be a bit quieter with less light exposure but that is not necessarily a bad
thing; one of the things being considered as a possible way to reduce rates of adrenal
disease is by having less light exposure (about 14 hours of darkness per day) so it pays to
always have very dark places the ferret can get to for naps. More time in darkness results
in more melatonin production and that slows an individual down but melatonin also
prevents too much LH from being produced. Too much LH is the start of what leads to
adrenal irritation and tumors; it's a hormone that gonads can signal to reduce but
adrenals can't. Melatonin is also a very good tumor fighter. So, that hormone which
slows us all down also does some very healthy things.
IF A FERRET IS VERY TIRED THEN IT IS TIME FOR A VET VISIT. The first thing to check is
the blood sugar levels. Read about insulinoma here:
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/PDF/insulinoma.pdf
There are other possible causes but that is the most common for an adult.
Is this a kit? IF A KIT WITH LETHARGY THEN IT IS ALSO TIME FOR A VET VISIT IF THERE IS
LETHARGY. Possibly the most common cause of lethargy in a kit is an intestinal blockage
from ingested foreign matter such as a hard piece of veggie, or a nut, or a piece of latex
or of rubber, etc.
For each age group other causes are possible, but those are common ones.
Adrenal disease is not the only cause of itching but is certainly a common one. Some
other causes include: fleas, bathing too often, the humidity being too low, and a range of
others.
You can read about adrenal disease here:
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/adrenal.htm
and
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/basics.htm
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "rhenne79" <berkana_@...> wrote:
>
> Is lots of itching always a sign of adrenal disease???? Along with
> lots of sleeping (I am talking a lot) -----or is it a hibernation time
> of year?
>
> I know I don't want tog get out of bed.
>
>
> Concerned new owner....
>
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