Hair loss is common in ferrets with adrenal disease. Loss of hair usually starts at or near the tail, slowly progressing toward the direction of the head. Ill female ferrets appear to be in heat because their vulva is noticeably enlarged. Male ferrets have an enlarged prostrate that makes urination difficult. They may also tend to become aggressive and/or display sexual behaviors. Weakness and lethargy are common and some ill ferrets lose a significant amount of muscle tone. These symptoms are effects of increased amounts of sexual hormones (testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone) produced and released by the adrenal glands.

In healthy and disease-free ferrets, the adrenal glands don’t normally produce sex hormones. Over 50% of pet ferrets in the US exhibit signs of adrenal disease as adults (about 3-6 weeks of age). In these cases, a genetic factor is likely to be responsible for the problem. In addition to symptoms and medical history, your vet Marietta, GA may recommend a variety of laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis.