This week’s segment features Ares, the 5-year-old ferret!! š¾ Ares came to us for excessive hair loss. When ferrets present for hair loss we worry about two possible disease processes. The first is an adrenal tumor which is a relatively common issue, particularly in middle-aged and older animals. These tumors can cause overproduction of sex hormones, leading to various clinical signs. In Ares’ case though, he has been diagnosed with an insulinoma. Insulinomas are tumors that grow in the pancreas, producing an excessive amount of insulin. This overproduction of insulin causes a rapid drop in the ferret’s blood sugar levels, which leads to symptoms such as seizures, weakness, and lethargy. In severe cases, insulinomas can be fatal. The cause of insulinomas in ferrets is not entirely known, but it is thought to be linked to their diet or genetics. Unfortunately for Ares, while we have been able to manage most of the side effects of his tumor with steroids, his hair will not grow back. But with the proper husbandry his owners have been able to keep his skin protected and he still lives a very happy life. If you notice any hair loss in your pet ferret, it is critical that they get examined and assessed for possible adrenal or pancreatic tumors so that we can provide them with the best support and medical management!!