From:
"micky6608"
Date: 2010-04-04 01:27:55 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Ferret weightloss and hair loss
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
My ferret Riley is 3.5 yrs old. in the last month he has lost hair. Normally in the winter he weighs almost 4 pounds. he didnt gain weight this winter and now he is very skinny. His bones by his back legs feel like they are poking out. I took him to the vet and she did a skin scrape to check for mites and she didnt find any he dosent have fleas. She gave him a cortizone shot put some mite flea repellant on him and put him on antibiotics for 10 days. She wanted to try that to see if that would help. He is suppose to go back in ten days for a check up. He has been on the med for 5 days and hes not getting better. Im going to call her monday and tell her to do the blood test for adrenal disease. Does this sound like adrenal disease? He is fed 8n1 kibble but his main food is gerber baby food (chicken) 1/2 jar in the morning and 1/2 jar at night. I also have 2 girl ferrets one is 3 yrs and the other is about 5 months. They are both fat and healthy. Any advise?
[When I read my note I realize that I replied as if there is
fur loss. Is there? Is that why the vet checked for fleas?
Did the vet check for fleas for another reason such as anemia?
Yes, many things can cause anemia. Even the wrong amounts
of certain minerals and vitamins (such as too much C (megadoses)
or too little copper, if memory serves) can cause iron to not be
processed normally, resulting in iron deficiency anemia even if the
diet has enough iron.
On that diet IF IT HAS BEEN LONG TERM he could also be
suffering mineral deficiencies, and some of those also can
cause fur/hair loss. If there is fur loss or another adrenal
symptom then adrenal disease is among the possibilities,
but so is malnutrition, and certain a malignancy could be
among the possibilities with the weight loss. A knowledgeable
vet will look for all so be frank with the vet about the diet.
Remember, too, that we are in a natural shedding season right
now. (Comb ferrets to remove excess fur, please, and to
avoid a possible stomach or intestinal blockage from fur.)
Please, if this is the standard diet used long term, reduce the
babyfood and add more of any of the quality kibbles, or
otherwise find a way to provide a balanced diet. Meat alone is
not balanced, being very low in many nutrients, especially a
range of minerals. Organs are better for some minerals (like
liver for more copper) but organs and meats alone also do
not provide a balanced diet for long term use. For one thing
a calcium source is needed.
Fat is not a health sign, but muscularity is.
--Moderator.]
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