To John with the new rescue ferrets with hair loss -
 
        The pattern that you are describing sounds very much like adrenal
associated endocrinopathy, but with two ferrets showing the same symptoms, it
may also be another problem.  Malnourished ferrets or ferrets that are not on
nutritious diets may have numerous skin and hair coat problems.  As you are
going to the vet, have he/she take a good look for parasites, also.
 
        Let's get the ferrets cleaned up and on a good plane of nutrition for a
couple of weeks before we start talking about adrenal problems...
 
        To Jenny Foreit concerning diabetes mellitus -
 
        Diabetes is a very rare disease in ferrets, and in theanimals that it
has been reported in, as well as the ones that I have seen - obesity was not a
problem.  While older overweight humans, and dogs may develop diabetes, there
has never been any information that the same is true in ferrets.
 
                That is not to say that it is okay for ferrets, or for any
individual, for that matter, to be overweight.  There is increased stress on the
musculoskeletal and cardiovascular systems, at the least.
 
        Diabetic ferrets eat a tremendous amount, but cannot utilize the
glucose.  They urinate frequently and take in a tremendous amount of water to
compensate for it.  They also will become blind over a couple of weeks, if the
disease does not claim them before this.
 
        As far as how much food to give your pets - that is a very difficult
question to answer.  8 oz. per day of a quality dry food is a ballpark figure,
but this also varies between brands.  The best way to keep your ferret trim is
to increase its exercise.  Ferrets that are kept in cages often tend to overeat.
 More romping and fun will help to decrease the amount of time spent at the
bowl.
 
        BTW - how big are these ferrets of yours...?
 
Bruce Williams, DVM
[log in to unmask]
 
 
[Posted in FML issue 0777]