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Post by olenka on Nov 27, 2017 18:42:30 GMT -5
We have 2 Marshall boys (they just turned 3) and a semi-angora girl Ruby. She is going to be 3 years old next spring. Ruby used to be a fur ball. A few months ago I noticed that her fur has begun to change. She isn't as fluffy as she used to be. Also she lost about 10-15% of her weight (she used to be chubby, now she is normal, may be on a skinny side). The boys developed winter coats already, but Ruby seems to have her cheapest coat ever! It looks even worse then her summer fur. She has no "rat tail" and no bold spots, however. No behavioral changes either. All our ferrets eat a mix of "Instinct by Nature's Variety Ultimate Protein" and "Wysong". All of them sleep together in a cold room, 40-50 F. Do we have to worry about Ruby's health?
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Post by Heather on Nov 27, 2017 22:06:51 GMT -5
I'm guessing that your angora is a breeder's ferret? If so take this question to them. One thing to consider is lighting, which may have got her seasons's changed around. I find the loss of coat and weight an issue that needs to be addressed. Has she been vetted? I can't help you with diet as I have not meddled in the whole pet food market in years and someone could come on board with some mention as to whether the food does have an issue with coat quality.
ciao
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Post by olenka on Nov 28, 2017 11:08:39 GMT -5
Thank you, Heather! Yes, Ruby is a breeder's ferret, but we got her from a shelter . No way to locate her breeder:( Our vet is on vacation. I do not know what to think...if it was a light issue, then our Marshall boys would have summer coat, but they look like angoras now.
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Post by Sherry on Nov 28, 2017 11:43:25 GMT -5
Depending on how long ago she was spayed, my first thought would be adrenal. And lighting does play a part, but also when they are born can play a huge part. If she was born in the fall/winter, then there is a chance her seasons are reversed and is going into summer mode now.
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Post by olenka on Dec 1, 2017 8:09:31 GMT -5
Ruby was born in March. Do not know when she had been spayed - she is a shelter rescue. This spring same thing happened to Milky, our almost 3 years old boy. He lost half a pound (used to be chubby before) and his fur became less fluffy. I brought him to a vet twice, in April and in June. Both times the doctor said that he was fine. No blood work was taken, just a stool sample for parasites (came out negative) The doctor was right. Milky came back to his normal weight this fall, then he put on a couple of extra ounces and got chubbier then ever. Also, he grew such a rich fur that he looks like an angora now. Recovered without any treatment!
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Post by olenka on Dec 5, 2017 15:41:42 GMT -5
Ruby is getting better. I think it was excess of treats that did it to her. (She is very good in begging: she does tricks, she leaks my feet:)) Since we cut her treat intakes, she started developing her winter fur and put some weight on.
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