Anthony,
>5 yr. old ferret with hairloss and a low glucose level
 
You have not said were the hairloss is.  If it only involves the tail it may
be seasonal hairloss.  Anywhere else and it is one of the major symptoms of
an adrenal tumor.  Treatment for these tumors involves surgical removal of
the tumor.  A low glucose level usually indicates pancreatic tumors.  As the
tumors progress your ferret is more likely to show symptoms of a low glucose
level, which includes collapse or seziure.  If this occurs you can reverse it
by rubbing Karo syrup or honey on his gums.  To diagnose and treat these
tumors surgery is indicated.  These tumors (adrenal and pancreas) commonly
occur together so he probably has both conditions.  These diseases are
serious and can be fatal, so I would recommend surgery.  Ultrasound is of no
benefit and is expensive.  It takes an ultrasound spcialist who has a lot of
experience with ferrets to see an adrenal tumor and the pancreas tumors are
so small they are usually missed.  Even if it is confirmed by ultrasound the
treatment is surgery, so I would not recommend ultrasound.  There is a new
bloodtest for adrenal tumors (it is expensive and usually not necessary, but
the money would be better spent doing the bloodtest rather then ultrasound in
this case.)
Cortisol levels are helpful in dogs and cats but have been proven to be
ineffective to diagnose adrenal tomors in ferrets.
I would recommend finding a surgeon with experience with ferret surgery.
Good Luck.
Dr Weiss
301-299-4142
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[Posted in FML issue 1120]