From:
"Maureen"
Date: 2011-06-05 14:47:30 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Puzzled
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I have to agree with Debi. All ferrets are different. Our little girl (who we just recently discovered is adrenal - she's 7) has always had strange fur happenings. Once or twice a year for her whole life, she would lose most of the hair on her tail - but just the bottom of it. At those times, she would get little blackheads on her tail. We would just wash her tail once a week & they'd go away in about a month. Then all her hair would grow back. Up until about 2 years ago, at this same time each year, she would start coughing. One vet tech suggested it almost sounded like kennel cough. So every time, we would take her to the vet for some meds. It had to be painful, as vet said her throat was irritated, and it sure sounded awful. I don't know what changed to make her not get this anymore, but I'm glad she doesn't have to deal with that along with everything else she's got going on.
Only in the past couple of months has she started to really lose her hair. She's never shown any kind of aggression ever. Her vulva is a little swollen, but vet said nothing too concerning. He also left it up to me to get her an implant (she's too tiny & old for surgery at 1.2 lbs and she has Insulinoma). I decided to see how she does for a while before getting it. She seems fine, if a little tired, but I attribute that to the Insulinoma; Rufus was the same way the last 8 months of his life, trying to deal with the Insulinoma. And that's the other reason I didn't get the implant. I don't want to stress her unduly & she may not even live long enough for it to help her. I hate thinking that way. :( She is only just now losing most of her lower back fur, but her tail is not losing fur hardly at all, and not just at the base. It's just thinning and the underside is pretty bare.
So you see, all ferrets are different. One may show every sign of a disease, and another only 1 thing. Charlee had never had a seizure or drunken walking from the Insulinoma. After we said goodbye to Rufus, I noticed she was sleeping all the time and only getting up to potty or eat. I thought it could have been because her cage mate had just died, but I didn't want to take a chance, so I asked the vet to check her BG. It was 21. That was in November. She's only had one incident so far, and that was drooling for a whole day. We went to the vet that afternoon to make sure she was ok because she was also stumbling around in a circle not able to walk straight. We raised her pred a bit & she's better now. She still sleeps almost all the time. I guess that's why we all need to be super careful & watch these guys diligently - you just never know.
Maureen
(Having adrenal disease is stressful in itself. Unclear whether you are referring to a Melatonin implant or a Desloreling implant?? I have had seniors with insulinoma who have received the Deslorelin implant and it has improved their quality of life. The thinking from clinical observations is that the hair loss you describe can be attributed to the early stages of adrenal disease and that eventually it will surface, which in your case it did. It does sound like you are a diligent ferrent and are taking wonderful care of your fuzzbutts : ) - Moderator (TD)]
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