Lauren and Zaphod,
>hair loss and pink colored skin over his shoulders
>vet said it is caused by natural folds
 
In my experience this is not normal, and is not caused by folds of skin
(like it can be in Bulldogs and Shar Pei's).  Hair loss is usually the
result of an adrenal tumor.  The hair loss usually involves the tail, the
hair over the rump above the tail, the shoulder blades, and the hair on
the top of the rear feet (the top of the rear feet are almost always
involved, although its not mentioned in the literature-----there should be
the same amount of hair covering the front and back feet).  As the tumor
progresses othet symptoms you can see include: lethargy (less playful then
normal), thinning of the skin, abdominal distention, swollen vulva (in the
female), return to mounting behavior in the neutered male.  Adrenal tumors
are very common in ferrets and are easily treatable with surgical removal
if caught early enough.
 
Other potential causes of hair loss over the shoulders is rough play
between ferrets where one bites the other over the shoulder blades or neck.
External parasites (fleas or sarcoptic mange) which are easily detected by
your veterinarian if present.
 
Good luck
 
Dr Weiss
301-299-4142
[Posted in FML issue 1335]