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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 0:20:38 GMT -5
I just got a 2 month old today, so I did to her as I do with all new ferrets, I do an overall body check for any issues. Well, after checking her and seeing the teeth, ears, fur, and everything else was good, I put her with my cinnamon girl Chiquita to be introduced. Well, while they were sniffing each other, I noticed Chiquita's tail was looking a little thinner. So, I picked her up, did a check on her tail and rump and see at least two areas missing fur. One being on the underside of her tail with some blackheads and two being at the base of the tail on the rump, but with no blackheads (just white skin). She has been stressed lately due to the times my other girl (recovered from an adrenal surgery before adopting) has attacked her. Also, before adopting her from the rescue, she was severly underweight. She's got more meat on her bones now, but the fur wasn't thin like that when I got her. Am I being paranoid in thinking she's possibly going adrenal or is my suspicion right? I need my babies healthy, my boy just recovered from an infection and diagnosed with IBD.
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Post by RedSky on May 22, 2015 3:15:35 GMT -5
It's the right time to be shedding. I'd say keep a close eye on it for now and see if her fur starts to grow back in. It's my first time going through a shed so I've no idea how long it usually takes but I'd expect maybe a couple of weeks at the very most??? Someone correct me?
As for the blackheads, I've heard this referred to as 'rat tail' and not always a symptom of adrenal, but again I'm pretty new to all this. I've read that the tail can be washed using warm water or even an oatmeal bath and that can help remove the black heads and encourage new hair growth. I've been trying it with Mako as his tail is covered in them and it's started to thin out a bit now, but so is my females so hoping that it's just shedding. I'll be watching to see what others say though, just wanted to share my thoughts on it. Even though they all might be wrong...
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 4:23:31 GMT -5
one thing you can do also---although it may not have anything to do with rat tail--- is, do not expose ur ferret to artificial light at night. When the sun goes down, lights off for ferrets.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 8:33:32 GMT -5
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Post by bitbyter on May 22, 2015 8:40:17 GMT -5
So the ferret is 2 months old? Are you sure? She would be very baby like in body structure. If you are sure about her age, it's not adrenal disease. 2 Months is way to young for that.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 10:50:51 GMT -5
So the ferret is 2 months old? Are you sure? She would be very baby like in body structure. If you are sure about her age, it's not adrenal disease. 2 Months is way to young for that. No, it's my one year old girl. I put the 2 month old with her for an introduction of the new family member and then noticed the thinned/loss of hair.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 10:54:51 GMT -5
one thing you can do also---although it may not have anything to do with rat tail--- is, do not expose ur ferret to artificial light at night. When the sun goes down, lights off for ferrets. Oh, I make sure they have total darkness, they're spoiled rotten. Even during the day, I have designated sleeping areas that are totally dark for them.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 10:59:15 GMT -5
It's the right time to be shedding. I'd say keep a close eye on it for now and see if her fur starts to grow back in. It's my first time going through a shed so I've no idea how long it usually takes but I'd expect maybe a couple of weeks at the very most??? Someone correct me? As for the blackheads, I've heard this referred to as 'rat tail' and not always a symptom of adrenal, but again I'm pretty new to all this. I've read that the tail can be washed using warm water or even an oatmeal bath and that can help remove the black heads and encourage new hair growth. I've been trying it with Mako as his tail is covered in them and it's started to thin out a bit now, but so is my females so hoping that it's just shedding. I'll be watching to see what others say though, just wanted to share my thoughts on it. Even though they all might be wrong... I've had the rat tail problem with my boy a couple times a few years back, so that was my first thought when I saw the blackheads, but the thinned fur(no blackheads) by her rump was the "alarming" part. I'm keeping a close eye on it and hoping it's from the fights my girl was in or seasonal shedding happening. Thanks for the input.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 11:02:51 GMT -5
I'm hoping so, but my two year old already had adrenal surgery, so it was alarming to see the thinned fur with no blackheads on her rump. She's still eating and playing just fine, but I'm keeping a close eye on her. Thanks for the links!
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Post by Heather on May 22, 2015 12:38:25 GMT -5
Complete darkness isn't good either. They require light. The suggestion is to allow them as much light as they would normally get per season that they're in. ciao
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Post by unclejoe on May 22, 2015 19:36:17 GMT -5
I've never heard of blackheads anywhere but the tail. Thinning fur isn't as much of a concern as NO fur. If you see bare skin, with no new fur growing in, it could be adrenal. 2 is pretty young for it as well. It's most common after 4. I've had a few ferrets that get thinnest fur at the rump, belly and knees when they shed. When your 2 year old had adrenal surgery, did they actually find tumors?
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2015 20:52:03 GMT -5
It could be a shed issue, possibly increased due to stress. Although a possible sign of adrenal, there are other possible causes.
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Post by unclejoe on May 23, 2015 6:57:41 GMT -5
There are other signs of adrenal as well. Look for them. Nearly all adrenal females will develop swollen girl parts.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2015 11:52:33 GMT -5
Sorry for the lack of responses everyone, I had a crisis with my 8 year old Friday night and had to rush him to the emergency hospital. Didn't sleep for a good 30 hours and ate nothing within that time, I was up all friday night with him, he wasn't eating or drinking, and moping around on the floor. He's still hospitalized and getting a lot of things done.
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2015 12:00:12 GMT -5
You must be worried and exhausted. I hope Rowdy will be okay. Sending all my best wishes to you both.
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