To Kristine: >I have been taking care of two of my local shelter s ferrets, one of which >probably has adrenal problems. He has been seen by a vet but no surgery has >been recommended because his only symptom is hair loss from his neck to the >mid part of his tail. His energy level and appetite are as good as all of >the other ferrets in my house. Now this is one I would probably go right in on - I don't think that there is a lot of question. Let me restate for the record - THERE ARE VERY FEW DISEASES THAT CAUSE HAIR LOSS IN FERRETS, AND NO OTHERS THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS DEGREE. It's a shame you have to tell your vet that surgery is in order..... >Can ferrets with adrenal problems regrow hair? Yes, they can to some extent. During the next cycle, it will all fall out, and usually more, and it is a toss up as to whether it will grow back. Ferrets are terriffic surgical patients. I think it's good that vets out there are cautious about recommending surgery, but you can have too much of a good thing sometimes. Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP Chief Pathologist, AccuPath Dept. of Veterinary Pathology [log in to unmask] Armed Forces Institute of Pathology [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 1696]