Merri, a recent adoptee of about 1 to 1 1/2 years of age has just had a very
odd (I think) hairloss episode.  I'm trying to decide if it is just a part
of spring shedding or a medical problem, I've been reading around this
morning, but nothing seems to match.  I'll introduce her to our vet since
she and Mint haven't seen our vet yet, but have been to a different vet for
shots about 3 months ago.
 
About 1 week ago, during nail trimming, Merri had all her hair (about 1 to 1
1/2 cm long everywhere.  Today (7 March) she has two small patches where the
dark guard hairs are about 1/4 cm long and has no underfur.  It looks like
someone shaved two ovals in her tummy about 4 days ago and she has new hair
growing again.  They are perfect ellipses located about 1 inch infront of
her rear legs.  They are arranged perfectly symetrical on opposite sides of
her central line.  They are about the size of a nickle and look like dark
thumbprints because of the short dark hairs, the skin seems to be perfectly
normal.  In one week I suspect that since the hair is already growing, the
hair will have completely grown in and everything will appear normal
 
She is and has been super engery ferret
(http://www.gis.net/~bpcoffey/ferrets.html#Merri)
 
Has anyone had or seen a ferret that lost hair in perfectly symetrical spots
on the lower tummy?  I think I'll try some photos if I can get her to sit
still for some macros (not likely).
 
I think these patches matched spots of dark fur on a slightly ligher
background, but I'm not sure since I haven't spent much time photographing
tummys on any ferret.
 
--
Bryan P. Coffey
[log in to unmask]
http://www.gis.net/~bpcoffey
 
The Ferrets: Albi & Esef
http://www.gis.net/~bpcoffey/furball.html
[Posted in FML issue 2240]