To Anon concerning Ruck's bald patches:
 
        I know that Ruck just had the surgery for the pancreas, but the adrenals
should have been checked out at the same time.  Anyway - hair loss over the back
is HIGHLY suggestive of adrenal disease.  Mites and Linotone won't cause it.  I
would suggest giving Ruck about a month to recover from the first surgery and
going back in and examining the adrenals.  In the meantime, a blood sample sent
to CENVET - 1-800-4-CENVET for estradiol testing may give you an answer in the
meantime.  About 33% of adrenals can be diagnosed in this way. If it's negative,
though, your ferret may still have the disease,thogh.  The test is not
especially sensitive yet.
        Jumper's hair loss under the tail may just be a seasonal hair loss at
this time of year - I don't get especially concerned about hair loss until it
progressive forward of the tail.
 
Bruce Williams, DVM            Department of Veterinary Pathology
       [log in to unmask]         Armed Forces Institute of Pathology
       (202) 782-2600/2602                 Washington, D.C.  20306-6000
[Posted in FML issue 1007]