Alopecia in neutered male ferret

Re: Alopecia in neutered male ferret

Hannah Wynne Richards — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 18:40:54 GMT

Adrenals,adrenals,adrenals, adrenals

Wynne

Re: Alopecia in neutered male ferret

Marie Kubiak — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 17:25:34 GMT

Certainly adrenal disease is a big differential. Scanning adrenals is usually quicker and cheaper for diagnosis than endocrine assays. They tend to be ferrets neutered >18months ago with progressive alopecia +/- pruritis. Also check blood glucose in case of concurrent insulinoma causing lethargy.

But otherwise treat as cat/dog skin work up if adrenal disease not responsible.

Marie

Re: Alopecia in neutered male ferret

Claire McConnell — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 16:44:12 GMT

I would be thinking about adrenal disease.

They are also often lethargic. I wouldnt fail to do a normal skin exam and scrapes etc incase of other causes for alopecia and although I have no experience with ferrets I believe adrenal disease is quite common - think it can be hyperplasia or neoplasia and causes rise in sexual hormones, even though neutered. I believe measuring blood levels of Oestrodiol, Testosterone and Progesterone is probably the basis to a diagnosis with maybe ultrasound being useful.

Any exotic specialists want to agree or disagree and enlighten us further?