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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/11/2008 9:01:05 AM
Posts: 1,
Visits: 6
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Hello! I have four ferrets and I recently noticed that one of my ferrets (Phillip) is experiencing some hair loss on his tail! It has gotten worse, and where it first started on the tip of the tail, it has now worked its way down and is half way through the tail. There are no other symptoms other than sneezing, and he does scratch- but I dont think anymore than the usual ferret itch.
I have considered mites but none of the other ferrets are experiencing anything similar to his symptoms. It has already been going on for about a month and a half now and i'm starting to get worried that I might have to take him to the vet even though I have no income right now. Help! Has anything like this happened to any of you?
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/1/2008 1:36:01 PM
Posts: 18,
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| Hello, causes of hair loss in the tail of a ferret can be serveral things. Tail alopecia, is most common in males, this is where some ferrets lose some or all of the hair on their tail in the summer. It will look like a rat tail but this condition is harmless (has no cause) and he may grow it back when he gets his coat in the fall. Another cause is Adrenal tumors, adrenal gland disease causes loss of hair starting at the base of the tail and inside the legs, it can just cause hair loss on just the tail or continue to the whole body. Definitely do some research on Adrenal Gland Disease to see if any other symtoms match, some develop itchiness and experience more lethargy (loss interest to play, sleeps more than usual). Adrenal Gland Disease usually occurs in ferrets over the age of 3 but can also occur in younger ferrets. I would take him to the vet as soon as possible to get him checked out. Hope this helps, Ashley Sox, Chance and Chase (aka Noel and Stuart)
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Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 6/25/2008 11:58:08 AM
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It most likely is caused by little blackheads on his tail. Many ferrets get this, and it is not hurtful to them. I have one little girl who has a bald tail for over a year, and just a little bit of fuzz on it.  But she is healthy and playful. This will be "cured" over time, and their fuzz will grow back. During that time, wash your fuzzy, and note his tail. If there are blackheads on it, you can either (1) use a gentle cleansing solution, or (2) basically leave it alone. That is what my vet told me. The blackheads will go away and the fur will grow back. 
weezilmom
9 fuzzies - Scooter, Stewie, Sparky, Dot, Misty, Muffin, Mischief, Koda, Coco
8 puppies - Teddy, Gretchen, Smokey, Honey Bun, Tiger, Cosmos, Blackie, Romeo
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/24/2008 7:16:04 AM
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I've been wondering about those blackheads and rat tails. Some people say it's always a sign of adrenal disease (might be a sign so early that bloodwork doesn't show anything) and some say it might be but not always. (At least they do in sweden=))
So, what's right and what's wrong?
Loving and living with ferrets
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Starting Member
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Last Login: 11/11/2008 6:50:17 PM
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I will say this very simply. My ferret had a similar problem. It was at the base of his tail. He was scratching himself there when he was bored. So I played with him a lot and he stopped doing it. Though it sounds like your ferret may have a disease. Bringing him to his vet may end up saving his life. GO TO THE VET! 
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Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 12/30/2008 7:03:37 AM
Posts: 18,
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| The good news is adrenal disease usually starts at the base of the tail near the butt. The type of hair loss you describe can be caused by stress: change in food, litter, sleeping arrangements, new cage, new ferret, changes in how the ferrets get along, etc. It takes approximatly 6 months for a ferret to go through a full coat growth so it may take this long after the stress event to see new hair growth. Hope all goes well!
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