Hi Peter, Two of my ferts went through the same itchy and scratchy thing, with hair loss too. I finally took them to the vet who prescribed a cortisone shampoo that seemed to do the trick. But was told to be very careful and to make sure it was rinsed very well. It has to stay on for 5 minutes, which can be tough, but worth it. I have heard not to bathe ferrets too much due to their sensitive skin and then causing an overproduction of natural oil. So when I do bathe them I use a ferret shampoo by Tomlyn called Tearless Ferret Shampoo, it's supposed to be baby mild for sensitive skin. I bought it at the Ferret Store on-line, I think. They usually only get bathed when they have gotten into something, like when Mokey dived head first into the duck soup for some reason and had to roll around!!?? Who knows why~! Good luck, suzi P.S my pom-doggy has sensitive skin and I use a oatmeal based shampoo on her that works well. [Posted in FML issue 3964]