Could my ferret's balding be due to stress?

Question

My family used to have two ferrets, but the first one died of something... not quite sure.

A few months after my first ferret died my other ferret started loosing it's hair. At first we thought it was a skin problem, but then we found out it could be adrenal problems.

I know that other animals stress out when a companion dies, could distress from abandonment cause balding in a ferret? It just seems a little bit unusual that he got sick immediately after the first one died, and I'm almost sure that whatever the first ferret has isn't contagious.

As of right now we haven't taken him to the vet.

Answer 1

Actually, stress can cause hair loss. It could also be fleas, seasonal hair loss, or adrenal. The only way to know for sure is to have it checked by a vet and have him tested for adrenal. I recently had one tested for adrenal (I'm still waiting for the results), but my vet said her hair loss could possibly be stress related if it's not adrenal. Like I said, the only way you'll know for sure is to have him checked out by a vet.

Answer 2

if it's balding on it's body, i'd say adrenal. or maybe mites/fleas/ticks if it is irritated. i doubt it's stress related. i know they can get stressed, but i don't think that is what is making him bald. you should take him to the vet asap.