Sorry if this is a repeat - but my network was acting up when I sen the last version... To Arthur Grondine: You asked: "The following symptoms have appeared recently (~ 1 month): Hair loss (light-not severe) at the end of the tail; Apparent dexterity trouble occasionally in the rear end( This is on a hard wood floor); A bit of scratching (I am convinced that it isnot fleas); and a most peculiar very seldome occasional behavior pattern of standing still, and then slowly falling over. My ferret is approximately 6 years and 2 months old. He is still very active, but not quite as much as I remember him being a couple of years ago. I am not positive he has an adrenal gland problem. How do I confirm whether or not he has an adrenal gland problem? Is he to old for surgery? What is the life expectancy of a healthy ferret (any statistics)? " My reply - Although several of the signs that you have been describing may be seen with adrenal disease (scratching, hair loss on the tail, and mild dexterity loss in the hind end), they are certainly not specific for it. Many older animals lose some dexterity in the hindlegs as a result of aging nerve changes - nothing is usually done for this because it is not debilitating. Hair loss may be seen in stressed animals, or during part of the normal shedding cycle. The sign that concerns me is the occasional falling over. What you describe sounds like hypoglycemia rather than adrenal disesase, The presence of an islet cell tumor can usually be determined by a blood glucose reading (<60 being diagnostic). I would suggest a vist to your vet as soon as possible.... Bruce Williams, DVM [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 0657]