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Message |
    
Mongoose
Member
Username: Mongoose
Post Number: 145
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2011 - 12:17 am: |   |
Hey,it has been a while since I last post but I need help from other ferret owners.
I have a Chocolate ferret and when I got her she had rat tail. My wife and I have had her for six months now and she still has rat tail but is slowly losing body hair. Her hair is slowly thinning out and more of her pink skin is now being exposed. She also very warm to the touch.
I have asked the vet and they said not to worry. Well...from owning ferrets for more than 10 years, I know this is not usual. As you can see in the photos.
Any ideas what could be causing this and any info to help our Tof would be greatly appreciated thank you.
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Fuzzie23
Member
Username: Fuzzie23
Post Number: 1635
Registered: 12-2007
| | Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2011 - 4:42 am: | |
Don't know if this is accurate, but my vet said, that rat tail could be an indication of adrenal gland disease. You could have TN panel done to check for adrenal gland disease.
proudly owned by The Official Wrecking Crew: Stinker, China, Sara, Nikita, Norma, Einstien Junior, Clyde, Cocoa Bean, Casper, Calvin, Beauregards, Patch, Buster, Beneka, Kodopoli, Napoleon Dynamite, Sebastian, Nora, Wakeza, Daggit. Angels at the Bridge Loved Forever: Toby 19Jul07, Ben 27Dec07, Gracie Girls 6Mar08, Bonnie 31may08, Taz 9Jun08, Scooter 18Apr09, Hobbs 1May09, Ivan 25Jan10, Taz2 09Nov10, Meeko 14Mar11, Demon 29Jun11, Stripe 13Jul11, Jasmin 7Aug11 |
Zzbrandy
Member
Username: Zzbrandy
Post Number: 4062
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 22, 2011 - 7:28 pm: | |
Is her vulva enlarged? That is a very strong sign of adrenal.
She could just be starting to go through her fall shed (and ferrets are very warm when their skin is exposed). This happened exactly the same with Ruby and it freaked me out. Now I have her on a Deselorin implant as a precaution, even though her fur came in great in the winter.
Rat tail is a dermatological condition where the follicles are plugged. You can actually see the little black marks.
Brandy - momma to the Mashugina (aka Sugar) and Ruby-Roo; RIP Meeka (my original), Karma (my pretty little white girl), Max (my clown prince), Moose (my stuffie king)& Gooch (my bouncy boy) |
Mongoose
Member
Username: Mongoose
Post Number: 147
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2011 - 9:16 am: | |
Not sure if her vulva is enlarged or not, will check her. She has been like this now for some time and am getting worried. Going to make an appointment for her soon as I can.
It seems it isn't affecting her, she's playful, good appetite and her behavior hasn't changed. |
Polecatparlour
Member
Username: Polecatparlour
Post Number: 1464
Registered: 07-2006
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2011 - 9:43 am: | |
My guess would be adrenal. A lot of times the rat tail will come and go with shedding and I go by that as an indicator that adrenal is in their future. If she has not regained any hair and is starting to lose body hair I would just go with the adrenal. I know a lot of vets want to do the Tennessee but I have wasted so much money doing the panel only for it to confirm what I already knew. Lupron or a desi implant is the way to go.
VIVA LA REVOLUTION!!
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Mongoose
Member
Username: Mongoose
Post Number: 148
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Friday, September 23, 2011 - 5:27 pm: | |
Ok I checked her vulva and it is very enlarged. Going to make a appointment asap on Monday. Poor lil girl.  |
Zzbrandy
Member
Username: Zzbrandy
Post Number: 4064
Registered: 07-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 24, 2011 - 2:04 am: | |
If you can, go with the deselorin implant - much better for them and easier on your wallet. If your vet doesn't do it, come back on here and we'll find one for you.
Brandy - momma to the Mashugina (aka Sugar) and Ruby-Roo; RIP Meeka (my original), Karma (my pretty little white girl), Max (my clown prince), Moose (my stuffie king)& Gooch (my bouncy boy) |
Mongoose
Member
Username: Mongoose
Post Number: 153
Registered: 03-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, September 24, 2011 - 3:26 pm: | |
Thank you Zzbrandy. I will definately enquire about the deselorin implant. Will keep you all post on how`s Tof is doing. |
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