Hairloss around shoulders?

Question
I have a male ferret who I've noticed has thinning hair by his shoulders and on his tummy.  It's thin to the point where I can see his skin clearly.  Hair has thinned on his tail, but starting at the tip of the tail instead of the tail base.

I've read that adrenal disease can sometimes start with hair loss on the shoulders.  He tends to lick one of the other ferret's ears, but he's done that ever since he's been with us.  He's also always been a "frequent urinater" since we've had him.

Could all of these signs be pointing toward adrenal disease?

Answer
Hello Danielle,

Adrenal disease is a possibility.  It manifests itself in different ways.  Some ferrets become abnormally aggressive, others loose weight. Some males have difficulty urinating while females occasionally portray an enlarged vulva.  Hair loss is the most common symptom, but it is not always present.  The typical pattern begins at the tail (tip or base.. it can vary) and progresses toward the body to the flanks and neck.  Some ferrets only loose fur on their tail, while others display extensive alopecia.

Further info on adrenal disease:

http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/adrenal.html
http://www.ferret-universe.com/health/adrenal.asp
http://www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Adrenal.htm


There are plenty of other causes for thinning hair in ferrets besides adrenal disease.  Allergies, flea/mites, shedding patterns etc can all display the same symptom of hair loss.  It is about time for the fall shedding season, so it is not uncommon to see thinning of the pelt at this time.  Keep an eye out for new growth.  If you see this within the next week, he is probably shedding his old coat.

It is normal behavior for a ferret to lick each others ears.  Also, due to their high metabolism, they will urinate/defecate every 4-6 hours like clockwork! If you notice he is drinking and urinating far more then usual, it could be a sign of a medical problem.  

If your ferret displays any other abnormal behavior or the fur loss becomes worse without regrowth it is time to take a trip to your veterinarian.  Adrenal disease is best diagnosed early, and there are various options for treatment.  Surgery is the ONLY permanent one.  If your ferret is not a candidate for surgery, injections of Lupron or Melotonin can help stall the progression of the disease but will NOT cure it.  Remember that without treatment, adrenal disease is 100% fatal.  This is why it is best to have it diagnosed early.


I hope this information is helpful.  If you have any other questions, do not hesitate to ask!

-Cindy P.