loosing hair

Question
I have an older ferret and a younger on. The older one I have no idea how old his is. He was a rescue and they thought he was 5 or so, I've had him 3 years now and he's been really healthy till about 4 months ago he started losing the hair on his tail and part of his hind quarters. Now the tail hair is back but he still has a bald place on his butt and about hallf an inch down his tail. What in the world? He still eats and runs around,, has alwasy been a little neurotic, but no toehre symptoms. The younger one I got at 6 weeks and he's 2 now shows none of the same problems. Is it male patterned baldness for ferretts?

Thanks, Rhi

Answer
No, it isn't male patterned baldness but is a type of cancer that ferrets get when they are older.  Not all get it but more do then don't.  They can live a while with it.  It is Adrenal Cancer.  Insulinoma is also a cancer they can get.  Sometimes vets will do surgery but as old as your ferret is I wouldn't advise it.  Just let him live the rest of his life happy and content.  Surgery doesn't prolong their life much.  I had a little bald ferret for a couple of years then her hair came back in and then she lost it again.  As long as your ferret eats, etc. that's good.

Mary