Ferret adrenal

Question
My male ferret is 6 yrs old. His symptoms are complete baldness around the neck/shoulders & leading to the head. Itchy constantly, muscle loss, lethargy & marking urine. My Vet refuses to believe he has adrenal because the hair loss isn't @ his tail & rump base.  She is treating the hair loss with a tropical gel. He has been operated on twice for another condition & has cardiomyopathy. Poor little fella got all stressed out & depressed, so I would prefer a Lupron shot at this time. I will have to find another Vet, but I was wondering if you think it could be something other then adrenal? Thank you

Answer
Hello Diane,

Those sound like classic symptoms of adrenal disease to me.  If you are concerned that your veterinarian is not knowledgeable enough in treating ferrets, there is ALWAYS the opportunity for a second opinion.  Do NOT hesitate to make an appointment with another doctor.  He or she might determine that it IS adrenal disease, and if that is the case you can discuss a treatment plan.  

VETS CANADA:   
* http://www.ferretrescue.ca/start.php
* http://tinylink.com/?TlVyYKa6e0
* http://www.ferrets.org/Veterinarian_Listings.htm   (British Columbia)
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html
* http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/sask_ferrets/

VETS USA:
* http://www.quincyweb.net/quincy/vet.html
* http://ferrethealth.org/vets/
* http://www.ferret-universe.com/vets/vetlist.asp
* http://www.ferretsanctuary.com/vets.shtml
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html
* http://ferrethealth.org/vets/

VETS  UK & IRELAND:  
* http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ferreter/vetlist.htm

VET INFO/ LIST OF FERRET GROUPS/ CONTACTS IN UK, ITALY, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, NETHERLANDS, GERMANY & DENMARK:       
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-overseas.html (scroll down page to find the one you are looking for).

I hope this information helps.  Good luck with the little guy.  Please keep me posted... I will be hoping for the best!!

-Cindy P.