Ferret Question

[J.T.]

I've had my 3 ferrets now since last Dec & they've been great fun. Recently I've noticed that 2 of them seem to have lost some fur off their tails. The 3rd one is fine. It's most noticable on the white one. It doesn't seem to bother them, no scratching or chewing but it looks a bit red. Someone who has ferrets says it's a seasonal thing like a mini moult & nothing to worry about .

It doesn't really show up on this pic but you can see the hair loss.

I have bathed the tails in an antibacterial shampoo but it's not really made much difference.

Any advice please? :thumbsup:

 

[boothros]

I've had my 3 ferrets now since last Dec & they've been great fun. Recently I've noticed that 2 of them seem to have lost some fur off their tails. The 3rd one is fine. It's most noticable on the white one. It doesn't seem to bother them, no scratching or chewing but it looks a bit red. Someone who has ferrets says it's a seasonal thing like a mini moult & nothing to worry about . It doesn't really show up on this pic but you can see the hair loss.

I have bathed the tails in an antibacterial shampoo but it's not really made much difference.

Any advice please? :thumbsup:

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

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This is surprisingly common and seems to happen to some and not others. It also seems to have a few different causes. Ive known stress to cause it and over feeding of cereals in relation to fresh meat, but in my lots case by far the most common cause has been a hormonal imbalance which sometimes has been cured at neutering time and at other times not. There has never been evidence of any sort of parasite to cause it. The only thing I have used that has been really effective to aid regrowth, is the sap from an Aloe Vera plant. For this purpose, Ive got then dotted all over the house. I cut a few of the spikes off and squeeze out all the goo before liberally applying as an ointment. When it works, it works very very well, but again I suppose depending on the cause, it works for some ferrets brilliantly and some not at all.

 

[mally]

Don't worry about it as the fur will grow back with it's winter coat. I see it every year with one of my jills. In the winter she looks a real picture of health with a nice shiney coat.

 

[J.T.]

Thanks both of you. I've got some Aloe vera gel which I use on any cuts/scratches on the dogs. I'll rub some into the ends of the tails. Then hopefully they'll have lovely furry tails again soon.

It's happened to the white jill & the hob & both are neutered so no pattern really.

I'm glad its nothing serious, it obviously looks worse than it is

Julie