How Long Does it Take for a Ferret to Grow Its Fur Back After Getting Melatonin Implants?

Melatonin implants, originally made for minks, can help ferrets with potentially deadly adrenal disease or hyperadrenocorticism. The primary symptom of adrenal disease is fur loss, often beginning at the tail and then gradually spreading over the entire body. How long does it take for a ferret to grow its fur back after getting melatonin implants? Up to eight weeks, according to Jerry Murray, DVM. But ferrets molt at least twice a year, so fur regrowth may be delayed until after molting season ends.

Not For All Ferrets

The best treatment for adrenal disease in ferrets is surgical removal of one or both adrenal glands, according to Dr. Brown and Ferret Universe.com. But not all ferrets with adrenal disease are good candidates for surgery. For example, the ferret may be too old to risk going under anesthesia. But Dr. Brown also states that some owners choose to have their ferrets undergo surgery and then get melatonin implants to help the fur grow back and to increase the ferret's appetite. These ferrets are usually young and, except for adrenal disease, otherwise healthy.

Melatonin implants are to help these ferrets that have a poor prognosis for surviving surgery. Implants are injected in the subcutaneous skin in between the shoulder blades, similar to where a microchip would be placed. The ferret does not need to undergo anesthesia for this process.

The Molting Season

If a ferret with adrenal disease was given an implant right before molting season, then fur regrowth may be delayed. Molting season happens twice a year in the spring and autumn. Veterinarian Susan M. Brown, DVM, states that sometimes ferrets can molt more than twice a year. The molting process in the spring is often far more dramatic than at any other time of year.

If a ferret gets a melatonin implant during late winter or early spring, there is a good chance that its normal molting process may delay a regrowth of fur. How long does it take for a ferret to grow its fur back after melatonin implants are given right before the molt? It depends on the health of the individual ferret at that time and how well they react to the melatonin treatment. If the ferret is still able to secrete sex hormones or if only one adrenal gland was removed, it is possible for the ferret not to grow its fur back, according to Ferrets Anonymous.

Sources

Ferrets Anonymous. "Melatonin treatment of hyperadrenocorticism in ferrets." Michael Janke. http://www.ferretsanonymous.com/medical/oma/melatonin.html

Small Animal Channel. "Melatonin and Ferrets." Jerry Murray, DVM. http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/ferrets/ferret-health/melatonin-and-ferrets.aspx

Ferret Universe. "Ferret Adrenal Disease." http://www.ferretuniverse.com/health/adrenal.asp

Veterinary Partner. "Ferret Grooming." Susan Brown, DVM. http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=675&S=5&SourceID=43