What are the signs of adrenal disease?
Adrenal disease, or hyperadrenocorticism, is one of the most common ferret diseases, and it affects thousands of ferrets every year. It is most often seen in ferrets over three years of age, but younger and younger ferrets are being diagnosed every year.
Adrenal disease is very treatable, but the effectiveness of the treatment does depend on how quickly the disease is diagnosed. This is why it is very important for every ferret owner to know the signs of adrenal disease. Though hair loss is the symptom that most ferret owners associate with adrenal disease, it is not always seen, and there are a number of other signs of which you should be aware.
They are:
- Hair loss, either in a symmetrical pattern or patchy with no apparent pattern
- Thinning hair
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Papery thin or translucent looking skin, sometimes with sores from scratching
- Excessive scratching and itchiness
- Increase in musky body odor
- Excessive grooming of self or other ferrets, including ear sucking
- Sexual aggression and mating behavior in neutered males - with other ferrets, inanimate objects, etc.
- Swollen vulva in spayed females
- Difficulty urinating for males - this is a sign of an enlarged prostate, a condition usually associated with adrenal disease
- Weakness in back legs - usually seen in advanced or extreme cases
- Increased thirst, increased urination
- Weight loss due to a decrease in muscle mass, but with a pot bellied appearance
If you see any of the above signs, schedule a veterinary appointment as soon as possible. And remember - adrenal disease is very treatable, but it is your responsibility to recognize the signs and seek treatment!
To learn more about adrenal disease, read Adrenal Disease: Causes, Signs, Treatment & Prevention.
