This is a very unattractive but harmless condition with no known cause. But this can be treated by antibiotics. ferret: his tail and his rump..urinating..aggression..no hair loss My 2 yr old male ferret (Bert) is losing hair on the base of his tail and his rump. He’s never gone completely hairless but currently has a balding spot on his back and thin hair everywhere but his face and hips. The hair loss is typically most obvious in the early springtime. The area affected by hair loss will have a crusty appearance on the ferret’s skin. Fatal Ferret Hair Loss. Barring the head and the tip of the tail, it may gradually lose most of its hair and the loss of hair could be due to a prolonged period of outside heat or in extreme case, adrenal gland tumors. The balding begins at the base of the tail and then gradually moves up to the ferret’s head. This hair loss is commonly first observed on the ferret’s tail, causing a rat-tail appearance, and moves upwards along the ferret’s body. Some ferrets have hair loss over much of their bodies. The ferret may also guard one particular area of the body. Consult with your veterinarian about what treatment is appropriate for “rat tail” if you see hair loss on your ferret’s tail. Loss of hair on the tail may be the first symptom of diseased internal organs. This is harmless. This kind of ferret hair shedding is perfectly natural and owners need not be worried. The hair loss is accompanied by scaly skin and very sparse and bristly hair. google_ad_height = 60; If a ferret does have poor diet often times their coat is actually drier and will probably shed off easier. This is a common disorder in ferrets and, depending on the underlying cause, it can be treated. Any ferret could develop hair loss, however it is much more common in ferrets that have been neutered or spayed, and those that are between the ages of three and seven. When we got her she was pretty thin and had hair loss on her tail. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-5089409400548728"; Regardless of the ferret breed, fleas usually affect the hair loss around the shoulder and neck area. Ferret hair loss caused by this condition, is characterized by definite patterns. Hair Loss Pattern. Additional References: Ferrets For Dummies. Hair loss, also known as alopecia, is fairly common in ferrets. Some ferret hair shedding is confined to the guard hair or long surface hair leaving patches of hair on the skin. Chordomas are a type of tumor typically found on your ferret’s tail. Rat tail is the common name for an odd pattern of hair loss that can afflict ferrets where they lose all the hair on their tail only. Click here to learn everything about chordomas. He is urinating fine, his energy level is great, he has no increase in aggression, and no swelling or muscle atrophy … However, it's really important not to just guess. Poor nourishment. Fortunately, after a ferret goes through its normal shed, the tail hair tends to come back. Just like any living species they show symptoms of various diseases and hence the ferret owners have to be aware of the symptoms to provide timely medical attention in case of conditions like the ferret hair loss. However some ferrets shed their whole coats over night, leaving them almost no hair for several days. Within the ferret hair loss on tail past couple months his tail grew back all its fur. For example, large and diffuse areas of hair loss is a common sign of metabolic conditions. The constant scratching around the ear of the ferret will result in hair loss in that area. Sometimes ferret hair loss is confined to the tail and the condition is called tail alopecia. google_ad_slot = "6683421146"; This infection is often found in the face of the ferret. If your ferret usually spends a lot of time outside then it is possible that it has pick up some fleas from other animals outside. Alopecia is the complete or partial loss of hair in areas where it is normally present. He seems to be acting normal besides some itching. If this disease happens to your ferret, their adrenal glands will overproduce sex hormones that causes hair loss to the ferret. Small patches of hair loss are often found in the ferret’s body if he infected by this. Rat tail appearing in ferrets tends to align with the seasonal molting mentioned earlier but can appear separately from it. This disease can be easily diagnosed in most cases. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-5089409400548728"; This is very uncommon to ferrets. Some ferrets that have been neutered and spayed can still have this hair loss. It doesn’t quite match up with the adrenal gland disease as its more spotty and isn’t working its way up the tail. During springtime, the ferrets will shed off their thick winter coat and have their thinner summer coat in order to avoid overheating during summer time. In most cases, the hair will grow back and shed again every spring. Another ferret hair loss cause is a hormonal imbalance and this condition manifests itself by a thinning of hairs around the tail region and the insides of the leg. Other signs of general pain in ferrets include loss of appetite, sudden aggression when touched by humans or another ferret and a constantly puffed out tail. Both sides of the ferret become equally bald. Other ferrets may have seasonal hair loss, and in that case, there is nothing to do but wait. Loss of hair on ears Another ferret chewing on them Deafness Congenital, Wardenburg's Syndrome (panda pattern); infection Paws "Splayed" feet Housed on wire Hair loss Age, adrenal disease Dry pads Clay litter Dark pink pads Insulinoma seizure Bright red pads Hyperthermia (heat stroke) Rough, thickened pads Distemper First, you will notice how your ferret is losing hair at the base of its tail, followed by the hind part of its legs. Fourth, prolonged heat periods are another reason behind ferret hair loss. Most of the time the hair will just return during the next seasonal shed. google_ad_width = 468; Ferret hair loss treatments will require a veterinary prescription along with proper nutrition. In most cases, the hair will grow back and shed again every spring. This alopecia (hair loss) usually works its way up the back and down the tail in a fairly symmetrical pattern. Symptoms may progress suddenly or slowly. When your ferret loses hair on just the tail, do not worry. google_ad_client = "ca-pub-5089409400548728"; A couple of weeks ago, I noticed my 1yo ferret was losing some hair at the tip of his tail, and that the skin had some darker spots/scaly patches on it. Fleas cause hair loss with a “hot spots” appearance, due to itching. The area may remain hairless for weeks, but will grow back in due course. And during fall, you’ve guessed it, they will shed off their thin summer coat and put on their thick winter coat in order to keep themselves warm during winter time. www.pethealthandcare.com does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Hair loss in ferrets due to adrenal disease tends to fit a pattern. It is common for ferrets to shed its warm and fluffy winter coat during spring time and to grow a new and much sleeker one. please help. I do keep cage clean and provide fool at all time and he eats welll. This is the most common cause of ferret hair loss. The correct medical term for hair loss or baldness is alopecia. But this pattern of hair loss is not the same in all adrenal gland disease. This is a very common alopecia that targets male ferrets during breeding season. Ferret do shed in the spring usually gradual. The reasons for hair loss can vary. You may see seasonal re-growth, only to see the hair disappear again and the loss become progressively worse. 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