my ferrets fur

Question
my ferret has a large scar like mark on the side of his body it seems
to be geting larger what could this possibly be?i think it's some kind
of skin disese where can i find more information to cure him?
and now he is balding what is wrong with him?
~~katrina

Answer
Hi Katrina:

It sounds like your ferret has at least two different things going on.

I'm not sure of the 'large scar like mark on the side of his body'. You don't say what size it is - 1/8", 1/2" 4"?  I guess everyone's idea of 'large' on a little ferret body could be different, so I'm not sure on that one. Also, do you mean a healed up 'scar', or a scratched. scabby area?  Do you have other ferrets, or is there any place in his cage that he could have gotten scratched on?  If it's an area that has a scab on it, you can gently rub a small amount (so he can't lick a bunch of it off) of Neosporin on it to prevent infection; but if it's already healed up, I have no way of knowing what it is or what would help him.  If you want to write back to me and describe the 'scar' better, and if you have other ferrets, what kind of cage he is is (in case he got scratched on something in there), I'd be happy to try to help you figure that one out.   I'm concerned because it sounds like his fur is thin enough that you are able to see a 'scar' on his skin - ferrets should be fluffy and furry.........which brings us to the second problem of him balding.

Many ferrets (usually 2 to 3 years old most often) develop something called 'adrenal disease'.  It is cancer of the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands sit just above the kidneys inside the ferret's body and below the heart. It is unknown why ferrets seem to get cancer in this part of their bodies so often, but the most obvious symptom of the disease (that we can see on the outside) is that they start losing their fur - usually around the base of their tail, then moving up their body until they are bald.  Adrenal cancer is very common in ferrets.....but it is easily cured too.   (if your ferret's baldness is some pattern,(like maybe JUST his tail, or other than the one I described, write back - it MAY be something other than adrenal disease)

Left untreated, if he has adrenal disease, your ferret will lose all his fur and eventually die painfully.  However, the treatment for adrenal disease is very easy - a proper vet can remove the tumor and the ferret is completely cured.  You will need to take your ferret to a vet who specializes in ferrets or "exotics" for the surgery - most dog & cat vets don't know enough about ferrets to do a surgery.  You didn't say the age of your ferret, but if he is old (9 or 10) you may choose to get your ferret Lupron injections (which will make your ferret regrow his fur and his symptoms will go away, but the tumor will continue to grow until ultimately he dies from it). Many people with older or ferrets who are very ill with other diseases in addition to the adrenal cancer will choose to put their ferrets on Lupron, just to try to make their ferrets last days/months more comfortable for him/her.  If your ferret is young, however, the surgery is definitely the way to go - he will have many years of happy, healthy life left to spend with you!

You can find a partial list of ferret vets here:

     http://www.ferretcentral.org    

.....and click on "resources", then click on "U.S. Vets", then scroll down the list until you find your state, then city (or one close to you) and see if there is a vet listed near you. (this is only a partial list)

If there is not a vet listed in your city or near you, write to me again and tell me what city/state you live in and I will be happy to check numerous other resources to find a vet for you.

You may want to check the prices at several vets too. The surgery cost varies a LOT between vets and can be anywhere from $200 to $1,000 - so you will understand why I say "call around" to get the best price.  The vet with the lower prices is usually the vet with more experience AND one who has the equipment necessary to do surgery on a little ferret, as opposed to the larger bodies of cats and dogs.

While you are there, have the vet look at the 'scar' on your ferret's side. It could be that due to the loss of his fur, he has scratched against something; or even another ferret scratched him accidentally while playing if he is missing fur.  Fur is their 'protection'.  

You should get your ferret to a vet right away.  In the meantime, please keep extra soft blankies (sweats, fleece, warm pajamas, warm baby blankets) in your ferret's cage because he is probably cold without his 'coat'. With winter coming on, he needs even more blankies to snuggle down into to stay warm. Never use wood shavings or 'bedding' you get in a pet store - they are not healthy for a ferret. He needs soft fabrics. Keep his cage extra clean dry; and keep all wire surfaces in his cage covered with soft blankies.

Please don't hesitate to email me again if you need more information on finding a vet in your area. Also, when you do take your ferret for surgery, be sure to write to me (or research) for information on preparing a 'hospital cage' for your ferret when he comes home from the hospital. You should know how to hand feed him and some other 'post surgery' information I will share with you that will help him be more comfortable post-surgically.

Hope to hear from you again soon. Please don't put off getting his surgery. Even if you don't have the money, many vets will let you make payments and go ahead and do the surgery.

sincerely,
jacquie rodgers