Anthony, >5 yr. old ferret with hairloss and a low glucose level You have not said were the hairloss is. If it only involves the tail it may be seasonal hairloss. Anywhere else and it is one of the major symptoms of an adrenal tumor. Treatment for these tumors involves surgical removal of the tumor. A low glucose level usually indicates pancreatic tumors. As the tumors progress your ferret is more likely to show symptoms of a low glucose level, which includes collapse or seziure. If this occurs you can reverse it by rubbing Karo syrup or honey on his gums. To diagnose and treat these tumors surgery is indicated. These tumors (adrenal and pancreas) commonly occur together so he probably has both conditions. These diseases are serious and can be fatal, so I would recommend surgery. Ultrasound is of no benefit and is expensive. It takes an ultrasound spcialist who has a lot of experience with ferrets to see an adrenal tumor and the pancreas tumors are so small they are usually missed. Even if it is confirmed by ultrasound the treatment is surgery, so I would not recommend ultrasound. There is a new bloodtest for adrenal tumors (it is expensive and usually not necessary, but the money would be better spent doing the bloodtest rather then ultrasound in this case.) Cortisol levels are helpful in dogs and cats but have been proven to be ineffective to diagnose adrenal tomors in ferrets. I would recommend finding a surgeon with experience with ferret surgery. Good Luck. Dr Weiss 301-299-4142 [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 1120]