Today I noticed that one of my ferrets is losing his hair. His tail is almost entirely bald and his body hair is thinning as well. Both ferrets get along great so I don't think that the other ferret is the problem. What could be causing this problem, I do not really want a bald ferret. Please help!

Hm, I've had five ferrets and have never seen/heard of this. I would suggest calling your vet and asking about it. It sounds like you might need a professional's advice. Good luck.

My friends ferrets had and have the balding thing. Its some disease, I don't remember the name. The first one to get it died, and the second seems just fine, just that she is almost completely bald!!! I seem to remember her saying that it depends on the age, general health of the ferret at onset that determines how the disease will affect them. I would consult a vet right away!!! Good luck [img]/infopop/emoticons/icon_frown.gif[/img]

I beleive this is a thyroid type problem and yes some die if it involves other organs.Find a vet familair with ferrets.

The symptoms you are describing sound like Adrenal Disease, which is one of the two most common diseases that ferrets get. Surgery is the preferred option, but there are medications that can help (usually meds are given if the ferret is not a good surgical candidate).

For the best information on ferret medical problems, please go to www.miamiferret.org/fhc.

There is an excellent list on YahooGroups that is run by ferret vets, owners and shelter directors called Ferret-Health List.

Basically, the adrenal glands are located near the kidneys and the overproduction of sexual hormones causes males to act sexually aggressive or the females to have a swollen vulva. Hairloss is another big sign.

In males, because of the overproduction of hormones, this causes the prostate gland to swell, which can block the urethra. This means the bladder blocks and the ferret cannot urinate. If not taken care of immediately, the ferret will die. This is why males really need surgery.

Yes, a ferret can live bald, but their quality of life is more compromised than just looking funny. The overproduction of hormones causes behavorial changes, takes a toll on the internal organs and just really makes them feel not so great. Not doing anything (i.e., no surgery or no medication) is not right.

I've dealt with this many times in my shelter (I have 4 waiting for surgery in the next month) and it truly is the best way to go, if your vet is comfortable with doing surgery.

If your vet is not very ferret experienced, please let me know where you are (city/state) and I'll see if I can refer you to a ferret knowledgable vet in your area.

Mary
Vice President, American Ferret Assn
Shelter Director, PFRA of Centre County