Hello everyone,
 
Well I just got back from my five year reunion at Brown U.  to find that my
two wonderful ferts, Jitterbug and Monkey had been extremely well cared for
by a wonderful man by the name of Jon Wetzel.  Unfortunately I also noticed
that Jitterbug's hair seemed remarkably thinner.  I had seen the beginning
of that before I left, but had assumed it was just her summer coat growing
in.  Unfortunately upon my return it was quite clear that she had a very
visible bald spot on her lower back.  My first thought was that since she
itches so much (dry skin), maybe she had caused the bald spot herself, but
there don't appear to be any scratch marks on the skin.  It is very smooth
and pink.  My greatest fear is that I seem to remember reading that thinning
hair is a symptom of adrenal disease.  Jitterbug is only three years old
and, as some of you may remember, had undergone surgery 7 months ago (the
vet mistakenly thought she had a blockage when she had heliobacter).  At
that time the vet told me that the surgery told him that the rest of her
looked very good.  He had "run" her entire intestine and that her spleen and
ADRENALS looked good.
 
I am terrified that she may have adrenal disease, but do not want to put her
through anymore exploratories (she almost died the last time).  If there are
any vets out there who would be kind enough to advise me, am I correct that
this bald spot is a symptom of adrenal?  Is there anything else that could
be causing it?  (Her poops look good and she seems to have a healthy
appetite, she IS slowing down some, but I thought that was just her getting
older).  If it is adrenal, are there alternatives to surgery?
 
I am very distraught as she is my favorite and would appreciate any and all
advice.  ****** Please send responses to this e-mail address as my home
computer is on the fritz again and my FML is delivered there, not
here.********
 
Thanks so much, I know I can count on you all.
 
     Love and dooks to yours,
     Katlin, Jitterbug and Monkey
[Posted in FML issue 1949]