Hi everyone, Haven t written in a long time (so much going on, started College, moving out ) but still always lurkin around, always have in my thoughts and prayers best wishes of recovery for all sick fuzzies out there Don t know if anyone still remembers me, Logan, Leeloo and Salma but we remember many of you. I d like to say we re doing ok but it unfortunately it isn t so and I ve been so worried, so I d appreciate if anyone feels like writing me on what they think on this subject: For a couple of months Salma has lost most of her tail hair (I assumed it was like before, because of blackheads or season shedding). For 3 weeks or so is the hair on her back thinner and lifeless looking. Last year she had a weird fur change also but not so extreme. No real bald spots but not the normal ferrets shed No fleas. If it was a skin disease wouldn t the other 2 have caught it too? I thought, observed, prayed the summer hair d grow back faster but so far it hasn t. So other than the fur problem (and naked tail) the only other possible symptom is that she s been a bit more aggressive when it comes to protecting her toys (and if she bites me when I touch any of her stuff and I scruff and hiss at her she actually hisses right back, the nerve! lol) She s really her usual super energetic and mega eater sweet nosy self! Here are the link to 2 photos of Salma and her fur, from a few months ago and how she looks now: http://cperth.vilabol.uol.com.br/adrenalornot.html Please take a look and let me know what you think! (can it be Adrenal? What else can it be??!!) Like every human owned by ferrets I have this horrible fear of Adrenal Disease (I ve never had a fuzzy with that before). IF it IS what Salma has then all the well known "theories" about Adrenal SUCK: - that Adrenal hits mostly ferrets older than 3 (Salma just turned 2) - that ferrets might have this because of kibble rather than meat (my 3 eat meat everyday) - that ferrets might have this because of artificial light (my 3 never have light on at night, I got a lamp on the bathroom that goes on and off according to light outside, but since they roam free most of my place is lit up only through sun coming through big windows, so they live with natural light) Afraid that if it IS Adrenal then the best thing is to have it removed (and the only way to know is to open her up and see ) I ve made he appointment for the operation next week! (before the tumor is too big you know!) Am I making the right thing???! Could I be overlooking and other simpler less-dangerous problem? (like stress or some skin problem that wouldn t catch on the others)? The vet who d operate is real good and I trust him but still it IS a risk and I m terrified to be making too hastily of a decision in something so big! I ll really appreciate and thoughts on this (post me here or write to [log in to unmask]), especially those with experience on Adrenal and other skin problems! Thank you so very very much! Hugs and dooks, Very worried Chris, and the sweet furballs that own her Logan, Leeloo and (going bald? Seriously ill?) Salma! [Posted in FML issue 4243]