Re-reading what I wrote I don't think I was very clear: bald tails can
happen with adrenal growths BUT usually the cause is dermal (from our
experience and from what multiple vets have said).  Still, it pays to
get it checked out by a ferret vet.  Go by what the vet says, of course,
rather than by what any of the rest of us say.  Obviously, if the ferret
with the bald tail has clear or common non-fur adrenal symptoms: repeated
urinary tract infections, marked changes in aggression, swollen vulva,
trouble urinating, etc.  then you already have signs which usually
warrant going in.
 
In my wondering about adrenal growths that may be non-problematic, I am
wondering about the rate of ones which may exist but never even produce
symptoms.  The only way to know this will be if some vets begin keeping
such records and on their own (with agreement of the people whose ferrets
have necropsies) begin pathology testing adrenals no matter what the
appearance of the adrenal is so that enough data can be collected.  I am
not going to hold my breath waiting for that, though.  Obviously, I am
not wondering about symptomatic adrenals, ones with malignancies, ones
with obvious neoplasia, etc.  In such situations, unless the ferret can
not have surgery for health reasons (not age reasons -- health reasons)
we have surgery done always.
 
The man I was privately discussing this with understood what i was
saying, but I have had someone who was confused write me after the post.
 
Hope that is clear enough.
[Posted in FML issue 4049]