To D. Pasquino/G. Peters:
 
Blackheads on little tails seems to be a common problem among ferrets.  I'm
not sure that anyone has an answer yet as to why this happens.  I know with
my guys, this seems to be more of a "summer" thing.  I wash their tails
every 7 to 10 days - as needed.  I use baby shampoo (if it's good enough
for your baby, then it's good enough for my ferrets!) and the blackheads
seem to melt right off.
 
In conjunction with this phenomenon seems to be some hair loss or thinning
on the tail as well.
 
If the blackheads or hair loss spread to the body, then I would suggest
a trip to the vet, but generally, this condition usually clears up in the
Fall - at least in my experience.
 
Debbie Riccio
WNYFLFA
Rochester, NY
[Posted in FML issue 1280]