Ferrets and hair loss and death

Question
My boyfirend has been taking care of 6 ferrets for about 5 months now, and two of them just recently started having health problems. Four of the ferrets we have had for 1.5-2 years, and two of them are older - we adopted the two from someone who didn't have time for them. Sadly and to my great dismay, the male ferret of the original four, who was maybe 1.5 years old, passed away recently after losing all of his protcetive coat. Only the undercoat was left when he died. All of our ferrets are from Marshall Farms in the U.S. (I think they are in the U.S.). What is happening here? Aren't they too young to already have adrenal disease? If you can get back to me quickly, my female ferret of the original four is experiencing the same symptoms, and I am very attached to her - she is my first pet since I moved out of my parents' house. I think she may suffer the same fate. The deceased did not become any more agressive, which I read is common among ferrets with adrenal disease. Jambi, the sprite who is currently losing her protective coat, has not become any more agressive either, and she doesn't act like she is in any kind of pain. She still eats, drinks, plays, poops, etc. We are taking her to a vet today.

Answer
Adrenal disease has many symptoms, but hair loss is the most prominent.  The hair loss generally that starts at the tip of the tail and creeps toward the shoulders.  This condition is caused by hormones that are normally produced by the adrenal gland that go haywire, and actually case an overabundance of hormones. No one is certain what triggers adrenal disease, but some speculate that it is the overabundance of light, early spay/neutering, diet, or genetics.  It is thought that the early spaying/neutering is a MAJOR cause since it is rarely seen in countries such as the UK which do not practice altering at a young age. One of my ferrets I purchased at a private breeder and neutered him at 8 months.  The breeder claims to have never seen a case of adrenal in her line, likely because she does NOT have them altered at 4 weeks of age as Marshall Farms does.  They also sell their ferrets and beagles to laboratories for testing as well as have been noted for unsanitary conditions.  For These reasons I will not support Marshall Farms by purchasing their products or pets.  I always adopt or get my ferrets from a breeder.   

Remember, Adrenal disease IS 100 percent fatal if untreated, but surgery is an option in most younger, otherwise healthy ferrets.  It is usually completely curable through surgery.  In the case of your ferrets, under 2 years of age is a younger adult, and likely to be a good candidate if this is indeed the diagnosis.  Only your veterinarian can say for sure if this is the cause of the hair loss, but the adrenal test, which checks hormone levels, can tell you for sure.  If surgery is not an option, there are other methods, such as injections that will help suppress the progression of the disease.  These will not cure them, but it will allow a longer more comfortable life.  Remember adrenal disease is VERY painful and if left untreated your ferrets will die a terrible death.  Please have them seen ASAP.        

Here are some excellent website regarding the condition, treatments, surgery, etc.  You might have stumbled upon them before.

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

Regardless of the possibilities, it is best to go to your normal vet to see what he or she thinks may be the cause.  The adrenal blood test may be a good idea to rule it out, since early treatment if it is indeed behind the hair loss, is very important for a better prognosis.    Early diagnosis is ALWAYS the best option.  

Good luck!  Please let me know how this turns out.  The first website I posted for the adrenal is wonderful.  It shows all of the normal levels in a healthy ferret for the adrenal disease test, as well as plenty of other information. Keep me posted!  I will be wondering about their progress.   

-Cindy P.