Alopecia is usually the first and sometimes the only sign of adrenal gland disease in ferrets. It can be present on the tail, rump, ventrum, and dorsum. The hair will epilate easily and the skin can appear flaky, inflamed, and erythematous. In unusual cases, the skin may become thin. It is not uncommon for alopecia to begin in the late winter and early spring. In younger ferrets with this disease, the hair will regrow in the late summer, but then alopecia will return the next winter or spring. Pruritus can accompany the alopecia although a number of ferrets may develop just pruritus with no other signs.
The vulva is enlarged in over 90 percent of females with this disease. Vulvar enlargement may be accompanied by vulvar discharge and vaginitis. Approximately one-third of the ferrets with adrenal gland enlargement have a palpable mass that can be felt next to the kidney. Some male ferrets will exhibit stranguria and dysuria. Older neutered ferrets may also begin to act intact and show signs of sexual aggressiveness towards other ferrets.
